NASA Awards $217 Million Communications Contract To Poarch Creek Indians Media Company
March 5, 2023
NASA has awarded a $217.6 million communications contract to a media company owned by the Poarch Creek Indians of Atmore.
PCI Productions LLC of Huntsville will manage communication services for all agency centers including headquarters, as well as its mission directorates, to enable the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of NASA information.
“This is one major step in our overall procurement strategy for communications that will allow us to more efficiently and effectively use the amazing capability of NASA communications organizations to connect the world with the agency’s missions,” said Johnny Stephenson, deputy associate administrator for Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Work to be performed under the contract consists of communication services including, strategic communications, planning, and integration services; stakeholder relations and public engagement support; media relations services; history and archives services; library services; and services in support of Freedom of Information Act requests.
The contract period of performance consists of a 16-month base period that begins on June 1, 2023, followed by one 20-month option period, and two one-year option periods.
Pictured: The Artemis I moon rocket lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. on November 16, 2022. NASA photo for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate 2-2, Northview 3-1 In Panama City Beach Softball Tournament
March 5, 2023
The Tate Aggies went 2-2 and the Northview Chiefs were 3-1 in the Florida-USA Softball Challenge in Panama City Beach.
TATE AGGIES
Tate 7, Walton 4
The Tate Aggies defeated Walton 7-4 Saturday.
Peyton Womack earned the win for Tate, going four and a third innings, allowing two runs, six hits, walking one and striking out one. Kate Balagbagan went two and two-thirds innings for Tate, allowing seven hits, two runs, walking one and striking out two.
Charli Vinson homered in the third inning, and Karea Wine had a home run in the sixth.
Opp 3, Tate 2
The Tate Aggies lost in a walk-off to the Opp Bobcats Saturday.
Lacy Wilson and Kara Wine led the Aggies at the plate with two hits each.
Jordan Smith went 8.1 innings for Tate, allowing seven hits, two runs, walking one and striking out four.
Friday: Tate 9, Curry 7; Daphne 6, Tate 0 (Read more…)
NORTHVIEW CHIEFS
Northview 10, Mosley 1
Jamison Gilman has four RBIs Saturday as the Northview Chiefs beat Mostley 10-1.
The Chiefs scored all 10 runs in a big third inning.
Aubrey Stuckey went seven innings in the circle to earn the win for the Chiefs. She allowed two hits, one run and walked one while striking out 10.
In addition to Gilman’s two hits, Emma Gilmore Mary-Clayton Dawson had two hits each.
Arnold 11, Northview 5
The Arnold Dolphins defeated the Northview Chiefs 11-5 Saturday.
Emma Gilmore went seven innings, surrendering seven hits and 11 runs while walking one and striking out nine.
Makayla Golson led the Chiefs at bat with two hits.
Friday: Northview 10, Sneads 0; Northview 11, Altha 9 (Read more…)
Lewis Bear, Jr.
March 5, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lewis Bear, Jr., age 82, a loving family man, a prominent businessman, philanthropist, and lifelong resident of Pensacola, FL. Lewis passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born on February 10, 1941, to Lewis Bear, Sr., and Peggy Loeb Bear.
Lewis was a highly regarded leader in the Pensacola community and the state of Florida where he was well-known and respected for his business and philanthropic contributions. His work and dedication touched the lives of countless people and will continue to have a profound impact on the community for generations to come.
Throughout his life, Lewis was known for his unwavering commitment to his family and his deep devotion to his wife Belle. In March of 1966, Lewis met Belle Yates of Selma, AL. Six months later the two were married. They shared countless memories together and he was quite proud to always have Belle by his side. Lewis leaves behind his beloved wife, Belle, of 56 years. He is also survived by his three children, Lewis Bear III and wife Jennifer (Taylor) Bear, Cindi (Bear) Bonner and husband Chad, and David Morris Bear and wife Cindi (Flanders) Bear, all of Pensacola; his brother, Donald Bear, and his nephew and nieces. Known to them as “Poppy”, Lewis adored his four grandchildren, Lauren and Lewis “Chad” Bonner, and Julia Belle and Max Bear, to whom he would affectionately express to each, “I love you the all”. Lewis is preceded in death by his parents Lewis and Peggy, and his sister, Susan Bear Leath.
Lewis attended PK Young school in Pensacola before earning his high school diploma in 1959 at the Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN. In 1960, Lewis attended Vanderbilt University to study Chemical Engineering before transferring to Troy State University where in 1963 he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both Math and English, with a minor in Art.
Upon graduation, Lewis joined the United States Air Force Reserve as a Technical Sergeant before his Honorable Discharge in 1969.
In 1965, while in the United States Air Force Reserves, Lewis began his career at The Lewis Bear Company, a family-owned wholesale grocery and beverage distribution business founded in 1876 by his great-grandfather. Working the next 20 years in various positions, Lewis earned the role of President and CEO in 1985 where he remained until the time of his death. In 1995, after selling the grocery business to Grocery Supply Company and acquiring the beverage business from his extended family, he was instrumental in its growth and expansion, which became a major distributor of Anheuser-Busch and other beverage products in Northwest Florida. The Lewis Bear Company is the oldest, continuously family-owned Anheuser Busch wholesale distributor in the world, and the oldest privately held corporation in Florida, facts he held close to his heart.
Apart from his business ventures, Lewis was also deeply committed to his community. He was involved in dozens of philanthropic organizations and was a major contributor to healthcare, education, and cultural initiatives in the Pensacola community.
Recently, Lewis was the former board chairman for the Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission (PEDC), a sustaining member and executive committee member for Florida’s Great Northwest (16 county economic development organization), a member of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, and a Life Trustee for the Pensacola Museum of Art.
Lewis served over ten years on the University of West Florida’s (UWF) Board of Trustees, including terms as Chairman, where he was instrumental in the development of the university infrastructure, programming, and processes. He served as a past member of the UWF Foundation board of directors, campaign chair for the UWF Foundation, and a Fellow for the UWF Foundation. He was recently bestowed an honorary doctorate degree of Humane Letters (DHL) generally awarded for significant contributions to society and a lifetime of service.
Lewis established multiple endowments, the Lewis and Belle Bear Facilities Endowment Fund at Temple Beth-El, the Lewis Bear Company Endowment for Excellence in Business Education at UWF, as well as the Bear-Bonner Endowment Fund at Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. He also created scholarships at both Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida. Lewis served as chairman of the board for the Pensacola Escambia Development Commission and chairman and board member for the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce, where he also served three years as vice chairman for economic development, as well as a board member for the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Lewis served as board chairman and campaign chair for United Way of Escambia County, chairman for the Pensacola Museum of Art, Trustee for the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), and a long-time board member of the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Lewis was a founder and charter president of Five Flags Rotary, a founding member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, and a board member of the Baptist Health Care Foundation. Lewis served as a board member and past chairman of Fiesta of Five Flags, where he also holds the title of Don Tristan DeLuna XLIX and is a proud member and past board chair of the Order of Tristan. On a state-wide basis, Lewis served as a board member of Space Florida, Enterprise Florida, Inc., and Florida State University’s Ringling Museum in Sarasota, FL. Lewis was a founding board member of the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association and served as that organization’s first board chair. After serving many years as a board member for the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, Lewis was a board member of the Beer Industry of Florida, chairman of the Anheuser-Busch Wholesaler Advisory Panel, and board member for the North American Wholesale Grocers Association. Lewis was appointed by Florida Secretaries of State to serve three separate terms on the Florida Arts Council and was appointed by the Florida Senate to serve on the Statewide Health Planning Council. He served as a board member for the Tourist and Convention Commission (TACC), vice president at Arts, Culture, and Entertainment, Inc. (ACE), and was a board member and past president for the Pensacola Country Club. He was appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the board of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. where he served as vice chair.
Lewis’s legacy will continue to live on through his family and the various charitable organizations he supported along with his wife Belle and their children. Through his generosity, the Bear Family Foundation was established in 2007. Since that time, the family foundation has contributed nearly $14 million to 114 nonprofit organizations in the communities served by The Lewis Bear Company. His dedication to improving the lives of others and giving back to his community is an inspiration to all who knew him.
Lewis was recognized for his commitment to serving others. Among the honors and recognitions received include:
-United Negro College Fund, Distinguished Leadership Award, 1983
-Pensacola Chamber of Commerce designations include:
-Pace Award, “Business Leader of the Year”, 1985
-Distinguished Service Award, 1988
-Pace Award, “Spirit of Pensacola”, 2001
-Board Member of the Year, 2011
-Pace Award, “Pioneer” 2013
-Pensacola Museum of Art, Life Member of BOD, 1992
-United Way of Escambia County
-Distinguished Community Service, 1999
-Tocqueville “Legacy”, 2004
-American Cancer Society, Excalibur, 2003
-African American Heritage Society, Heritage Award, 2005
-American Heart Association, Chairman’s Award, 2007
-Independent News Weekly
-Power List, 2008-20, Most Powerful, 2010
-Best Politically Connected, 2011, 2012, 2013
-Best Person to Have on Your Side, 2013
-University of West Florida, Foundation Fellow, 2010
-Florida Bar, Liberty Bell Award, 2013
-Rotary International, Service Award, 2013
-Boy Scouts of America, Golden Eagle Award, 2013
-Florida Trend Magazine’s Most Influential Business Leader (retail/wholesale), 2018
-Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Honorary Endowment Award, 2017
-Florida Beer Wholesalers Assoc., Lifetime Service, 2021
-National Beer Wholesalers Assn., Life Service Award 2022
-City of Pensacola, Key to the City, 2022
-University of West Florida, Honorary Doctorate Degree, 2023
-A Paul Harris Fellow, 2023
Lewis will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the communities he served. A visitation will be held 4:00pm – 6:00pm Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Temple Beth-El of Pensacola, 800 N. Palafox St, where Lewis was a member his entire life. Funeral Service will be held 10:00am Friday, March 10, 2023, at Temple Beth-El of Pensacola, 800 N. Palafox St., with Rabbi Joel Fleekop officiating. Interment will follow at Temple Beth-El Cemetery, 2300 West Cervantes St. At the conclusion of services, a reception will be held at the Pensacola Art Museum, 407 S. Jefferson St, Pensacola, FL.
Serving as pallbearers will be Dick Appleyard, Max Bear, Chad Bonner, Lewis “Chad” Bonner, Sam Camariotis, Jeff Eischeid, Don Gaetz, John Kennelly, James Leath, Charles Liberis, Lumon May, Collier Merrill, Mort O’Sullivan, Fred Silverstein and Sam Schreiber.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to any of the following charities:
The Lewis and Belle Bear Family Facilities Endowment Fund at Temple Beth-El, 800 N. Palafox St. Pensacola, FL 32501, https://templebethelofpensacola.org/donation-form/ or to the Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Pensacola, FL 32502, https://uwf.edu/university-advancement/departments/development/give-now/donate/pensacola-museum-of-art/ or to the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, 1 Bubba Watson Rd. Pensacola, FL 32504, https://rallyfoundation.org/rally-gulf-coast/
The family would like to thank the medical care team in Pensacola. Thank you to Dr. Brent Videau, Dr. Humam Humeda, Dr. Fernando Kafie, Dr. Jolita Klementaviciene, and KC Gartman, whose support went above the call of duty. We would also like to thank Dr. Ryan Alexander, Dr. Eddie Greene, and Dr. Michael Mikhail at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN for their incredible care during the most difficult time. Thank you to Covenant Hospice for your love and care in his final days.
Donna Stewart
March 5, 2023
Donna Stewart, age 91, of Atmore, AL passed away on March 4, 2023 in Mobile, AL. She was born on June 8, 1931 in Bedford County, VA to John and Adrienne Shank Dooley. Donna was a wonderful wife and mother. She devoted her life to God and her husband until God called her home. She was an International Pentecostal Holiness Church First Lady. She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Leon Stewart of Atmore, AL; her daughters, Dianne Stewart of San Antonio, TX and Denise Stewart of Daphne, AL; her granddaughters, Karen Long of Tipton, GA and Lara Stewart of San Antonio, TX and her greatgrandchildren: Ben Hendrickson, Eli Hendrickson and Ash Hendrickson.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Doug Beacham officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 8, 2023 from 9:00 a.m.
Update: 2-Year Old From Escambia County, Alabama Located Safe
March 4, 2023
UPDATED: The Child has been located and is safe, according to Sheriff Heath Jackson.
An emergency missing child alert was issued Saturday afternoon by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for a 2-year old girl missing from Brewton, Alabama.
Kacie Isabelle Alexander was last seen about 11:20 Friday night in the area of Foshee Road in Brewton.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Kacie Alexander, please contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741 or call 911.
Kacie Alexander is about 2-feet, 6-inches long, with blonde or strawberry hair and weighing about 28 pounds.
Judge Denies Stand Your Ground Defense In Cantonment Gas Station Murder
March 4, 2023
A judge has tossed the stand your ground argument by an Escambia County man accused of a shooting death at a Cantonment convenience store in 2022.
Charles Tyree Moore was charged with second degree murder for the shooting death of 35-year old Durrell Dupree Palmer at the Circle K on Highway 29 at West Roberts Road in May 2022 in an argument over the victim’s wife.
Moore’s attorney claimed it was a stand your ground case, but Judge John Simon did not agree. Moore remains free on a $150,000 bond with trial set for June.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said following the shooting that there had been “interaction” between the individuals going back two years. He said they had an argument over Palmer’s wife about two weeks prior, but she was not involved in the incident.
“During a conversation that they had actually at the Circle K ended up escalating and ended up in gunfire,” Simmons said.
Both men were at the Circle K at Highway 29 and West Roberts Road when Moore pulled a handgun and fired four or five shots at Palmer, according to the sheriff. The incident occurred outside the store near the gas pumps at the southern end of the parking lot.
Moore fled the scene, but called the ECSO and told them that he would be stopping and placing the gun in the glovebox of his vehicle. Deputies took him into custody within minutes on Palafox Street at Nine Mile Road.
The sheriff said Moore had no criminal history and held a concealed weapons permit.
Pictured above and below: A man was shot and killed at the Circle K at the corner of Highway 29 and West Roberts Road about 7:30 Monday morning. Pictured first below: The suspect was taken into custody minutes later on Palafox Street at Nine Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Temporary Closures Planned For Highway 29, W Street Intersection
March 4, 2023
Asphalt repairs will require the closure of sections of North W Street and Pensacola Boulevard (Highway 29) Sunday, March 5 through Thursday, March 9. The work will close W Street northbound at the intersection, along with the left turn lane from Pensacola Boulevard northbound to W Street southbound.
Drivers will be detoured to Marcus Pointe Boulevard, Airport Boulevard, or Industrial Boulevard to access Pensacola Boulevard and W Street. Detour signage will be in place to alert drivers of the closures.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Students Learn About Ag During Northview’s ‘Fresh From Florida’ Event (With Gallery)
March 4, 2023
About 600 elementary school students learned about agriculture first hand Friday morning during the Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program in Bratt.
The program gave students a chance to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter, get up close to farm animals and farm equipment, and learn more about how food gets from the farm to their table.
Previous Northview Fresh From Florida programs have been named the best in the state by the Florida FFA and the chapter has been recognized nationally for their efforts.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Milton Students Selected For EREC Washington Youth Tour
March 4, 2023
Jaquez Moorer from Northview High School and Carli Carrillo from Milton High School have been named winners of the Escambia River Electric Cooperative 2023 Youth Tour to Washington contest.
The Washington Youth Tour is a program offered by electric cooperatives throughout the nation to high school juniors from their co-op membership. Participants receive an all expenses paid trip to the nation’s capital.
“Every year, the quality of the students competing for the youth tour remains impressive, and this year is no exception,” said Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC. “We are pleased that EREC takes an active role in providing opportunities for our youth and works with cooperatives across the country to send students to Washington for this tour.”
Moorer is a member of the Beta Club at Northview and is dual enrolled at Pensacola State College. He was a member of the state runner-up Northview Chiefs football team. Moorer was named as a 2022 Academic All Star by the Atmore Rotary Club and is recognized by his teachers was always willing to help other students who may be struggling. He plans to study marine biology.
Carrillo is a member of the Beta, National Honor Society, and National Society of High School Scholars. She is also a member of the Milton High band where she is the trumpet section leader as well as secretary of the Spanish club. Carrillo is also part of the first year teacher’s academy where she helps kids with reading and comprehension. Outside of school, Carrillo referees soccer games for kids under age 14. She plans to study biology and teaching.
“I’m excited for the unique opportunity to meet new people and see the history of my country,” Carrillo said. “I hope to be able to see the various war memorial sites and museums that Washington has to offer.”
“I am excited to be part of youth tour because of the opportunities and the life experience it will provide me,” Moorer said, adding that he is eager to visit sites including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Arrest Made In Shots Fired Disturbance At Atmore McDonalds
March 4, 2023
An arrest has been made in a shots fired incident at an Atmore McDonald’s.
The victim, an employee of the McDonald’s on South Main Street, told Atmore Police officers that her ex boyfriend, 31-year old Christopher Allen Bush, Jr., of Bay Minette, entered the restaurant and started to punch her. He was pulled away by a bystander following the incident about 7:25 p.m. on February 26.
“Bush then pulled a handgun from his clothing and pointed it at the victim and threatened to kill her. Bush’s handgun malfunctioned and the victim pulled a handgun and pointed it at Bush. Bush scrambled out of the restaurant and tripped over the curbing. As Bush was falling, he fired a round into the woods behind McDonald’s, Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said. “Bush regained his footing and scurried across the street where he was able to catch a ride out of town.”
Thursday night, Bush was arrested by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. He will extradited to Escambia County, Alabama, where faces charges of felony domestic violence third degree-menacing, felony domestic violence third degree reckless endangerment, felony domestic violence third degree assault, and violation of a domestic violence protection order.
Police said Bush has two prior domestic violence convictions, and the victim has a domestic violence protection order against him.