Harold O’Neal Holder
March 3, 2023
Harold O’Neal Holder was born May 11, 1937 to Lee and Stella Holder in Uriah, Alabama. Harold passed away peacefully on March 2, 2023 with family by his side. Harold is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Lee Jr. and AJ, and sister, Doris Barnes. He is also preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Audrey Smelley Holder, his daughter, Benita Holder King, grandsons, Chad Willamson and Bobby King, and great-grandson, Carter Polanco.
Harold is survived by his daughters, Deborah Andrews, Teresa (Ronnie) Williamson and Belinda (David) Perry. His grandchildren, Melissa (Mike) Renacker, Tim (Heidi) Andrews, Joni (Andrew) Wills, Marissa (Lewis) Garvin, Austin Perry, and Moriah Williamson. Great-grandchildren Nick, Drew, Harper, Layla, Claire, Benji, McKinley, Hudson, Nolan, and Kaden. Sister, Jeanette Brannon, brother, Charles (Norann) Holder, dear cousins, Helen McKenzie and Jim Holder, brother-in-law, Emmette (Lorna) Smelley, and many extended family members.
Harold was a believer in Jesus and faithful follower of his Lord. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church in Molino for many years. He joined the Marines in 1955 after graduating from JU Blackshear High School in Uriah. After 3 years of active service, he transferred to the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1962. Harold was employed by Armstrong World Industries as a Board Mill supervisor and retired early as he and his wife were the owners and operators of Crossroads/Hammer’s Trolling Motors until 2018. After they closed, he missed the hours of drinking coffee and comparing who had the most rain with all of his wonderful friends at the store. Harold was an avid fisherman who loved to leisurely fish for bream and compete in bass tournaments. If you were invited to a fish fry at their store, you were privileged to enjoy the camaraderie where you might have heard one or many of his stories about growing up the son of a farmer, playing high school football, dancing the jitterbug as a young man, or one of his fishing stories. If you are family, you probably heard him called Sonny Boy by his Mama, and
Son by his 6 double-first cousins that were more like siblings. If you were a friend you probably called him Hammer which meant you knew him well. Harold loved his family immensely and we knew it.
Harold’s family would like to express our sincere thanks to the staff of The Residence Covenant Care and Covenant Hospice for providing excellent care in his last weeks as he fought a brave battle with bile duct and liver cancer.
A memorial service to remember Harold will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Highland Baptist Church in Molino, Florida. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. with service following at 11 a.m.. Rev. Brian Calhoun and Rev. Josh Helton will be officiating.
Laziness Encouraged: No Mow March Promotes Pollinators in the Panhandle
March 3, 2023
Need an excuse to not mow your lawn for a month?
UF/IFAS Extension agents in the Florida Panhandle are asking residents to skip their soon-to-be-weekly outdoor chore until the calendar flips to April.
The idea for “No Mow March” is borrowed from “No Mow May,” a concept begun in the United Kingdom that has now spread to northern parts of the United States.
“Obviously, our lawns are growing way too quickly by the time May rolls around,” said Beth Bolles, UF/IFAS Escambia County horticulture agent who is leading the pilot effort this year. “Here in North Florida, March is our transition period, when grass is exiting dormancy. But it’s also when pollinators are starting to become more active, so it’s the perfect time to celebrate them and promote their health and habitat.”
Bolles is quick to point out, though, that the month is about more than just turf.
“We recognize that some communities have rules to follow regarding their lawns,” she said. “There are other things you can do to encourage pollinators to visit, whether it’s container plants or adding new shrubs or pollinator houses. We encourage everyone to find their own way to participate.”
You can sign the No Mow March Pledge by clicking or tapping here.
Susan Evelyn Bradberry
March 3, 2023
Susan Evelyn Bradberry, age 71, of Walnut Hill, FL passed away on March 2, 2023. She was born on September 22, 1951 in Marianna, FL to Crawford Crews and Evelyn Byrd Scott. During her career, she worked with Harvester’s Federal Credit Union and later retired from Atmore Community Hospital. She was a member of Walnut Hill Baptist Church and Walnut Hill Baptist Church Crafty Ladies. She enjoyed crafts, sewing and quilting. Susan was her family’s greatest supporter especially her grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Harvey Bradberry of Walnut Hill, FL; her children, Shawn (Leanne) Bradberry of Jay, FL and Kristy (Johnny) Pugh of Walnut Hill, FL; her brothers, Randy (Sandra) Scott of Atlanta, GA and Steven (Sheila) Scott of Biloxi, MS; her sister, Sherry Byrd of Atlanta, GA; her grandchildren: Zack, Jarett, Mason, Riley, Bailey, Colbey, Kaitlyn, Brianna and Cody along with several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 6, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Walnut Hill Baptist Church with Bro. Ted Bridges officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Walnut Hill, FL.
Visitation will be held Sunday, March 5, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
Cody Weston Rounsavall
March 3, 2023
Infant Cody Weston Rounsavall, age 2, , passed away on Monaday, February 27, 2023 in Atmore, Alabama. He always enjoyed anything to do with the outdoors. He always liked to do whatever “Big Brother” was doing, and he loved his Pawpaw.
Preceded in death by his maternal great grandparents, Leon (Betty) Tolin, great paternal grandmother, Regina Rounsavall, two great uncles, Ricky Tolin, Tony Scott, one great aunt, Diane Chapman, and a special friend, Josie Jones.
Survivors include his parents, Shawn (Kelly) Rounsavall, of Atmore, AL; maternal grandparents, Tim (Sonja) White, of Atmore, AL; maternal grandfather, Rodger Cravens, of Boise, Idaho, paternal grandparents, Nolan (Jerrie ’Sue) Kerr, of Silsbee, TX; three half-brothers, Hunter Ford, of Atmore, AL; Chaz Rounsavall, of Gulf Shores, AL; Aiden Rounsavall, of Semmes, AL; one half-sister, Berkley Rounsavall, of Semmes, AL; and other relatives.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at First Baptist Church Atmore, from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with Dr. Kevin Garrett officiating.
By The Numbers: How Many Calls Did Escambia Fire Rescue Answer Last Month?
March 3, 2023
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to 80 fires during February.
The department’s 1,742 calls also included 178 vehicle crashes and 657 medical calls.
Details are in the infographic below.
This infographic includes a sampling of Escambia Fire Rescue calls for service during February 202..
Firefighters Battle Van Fire At Cantonment Gas Station
March 2, 2023
Firefighters battled a vehicle fire at a Cantonment gas station Thursday afternoon.
The fire was reported in the engine compartment of a passenger van at the gas station on Highway 29 near Tree Street, across from International Paper. The fire was quickly extinguished by Escambia County Fire Rescue..
There were no injuries reported, and no damage to any structures.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manager, Customer Charged After Shots Fired Disturbance At Century Mexican Restaurant
March 2, 2023
The manager of a Century Mexican restaurant and a customer are facing charges following in incident an which a juvenile employee allegedly fired a gun.
Manager Salvador Sotelo-Nunez (pictured left), age 48 of Flomaton, was charged with furnishing a weapon to a minor under age 18, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and battery. Customer Brent Allen Johnson (pictured right), 21, was charged with felony criminal mischief with damage over $1,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call January 19 at Vallarta’s Restaurant at 9010 North Century Boulevard.
According to an arrest report, Johnson and a female were asked to leave because the restaurant was closing. Sotelo-Nuneztold deputies that Johnson paid his bill and became angry on the way out, lunging toward him in an aggressive manner. He said a scuffle followed at the door when Johnson repeatedly pulled on the door in an attempt to open it and regain entry to the restaurant, the report states.
Sotelo-Nunez told deputies that “Johnson forcefully pulled the door open against his attempts to hold it closed, he punched Johnson in the face”. Sotelo-Nunez said he and Johnson began to fight outside the business, at which time Johnson went to his truck and returned with a firearm, the report continues.
Sotelo-Nunez went to his office to retrieve his .380 handgun, and a juvenile employee told Sotelo-Nunez to give him the handgun, ECSO said. The juvenile employee then allegedly fired the gun out the door of the restaurant. He later told deputies he fired three shots — two rounds fired into the air as warning shots and one at the rear wheel of Johnson’s truck as he was leaving the restaurant parking lot. Three shell casings were recovered by investigators.
Sotelo-Nunez claimed damage to the door was caused by Johnson punching it, deputies said, and Sotelo-Nunez stated he wished to file charges.
Johnson told deputies that after Sotelo-Nunez forced them to leave, Sotelo-Nunez stepped outside and punched him in the face. He told deputies that he punched and kicked the door because he was angry after being punched in the face, the report states. He told deputies that he never pointed the gun at anyone and kept it in his waistband.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said surveillance video showed Johnson exiting the restaurant at 10:14 p.m., and Sotelo-Nunez following and pushing him in the back and out the door. Sotelo-Nunez then pushed him again, prompting a physical altercation between the two. The video continues to show Sotelo-Nunez retrieve the weapon and give it to the juvenile employee who unlocked the door, went outside and fired a round over North Century Boulevard. After two more shots, the juvenile returned the gun to its holster and placed it inside on the bar.
A second video, the ECSO said, showed the parking lot with Johnson and Sotelo-Nunez in a physical altercation, and it showed Johnson punching the door. It shows Johnson retrieve a firearm from his truck but never point it at anyone, keeping it pointed at the ground. Deputies said the video showed the juvenile employee fired across North Century Boulevard and at Johnson’s truck twice. The employee then exited the restaurant into the parking lot, still pointing the gun at the pickup as it drove northbound on Century Boulevard, according to the arrest report.
It was not immediately clear if the juvenile was charged in the incident.
Tonight: Tate Grad, UWF Student Maggie Brown To Compete On Jeopardy!
March 2, 2023
A Tate High School graduate and current University of West Florida junior Maggie Brown will compete on Jeopardy! tonight for a chance to win $100,000.
The Jeopardy! High School Reunion Tournament is airing through March 9, with Brown appearing in the episode at 6 p.m. on WALA Fox 10.
While she was a 14-year old sophomore at Tate, Brown reached the quarterfinals in the 2018 “Jeopardy! Teen Tournament”. Today, those bright young minds are older, wiser, and ready to return to the stage for a first-of-its kind twist on the traditional College Championship format. Now 27 former teen contestants, now current undergraduates or recent college graduates, will reunite to face off in a 14-day special event with a $100,000 grand prize and a spot in the Tournament of Champions on the line.
“We didn’t want to lose that sort of college energy (this season),” said Jeopardy! Executive Producer Michael Davies. “We knew we had these 27 players who are all of college age who come from our existing Jeopardy! community, so this was a great opportunity to bring them back.”
Brown was the Tate High School Class of 2021’s co-salutatorian, graduating with a GPA of 5.55. She was on the 2020 Senior Homecoming Court, was appointed to the 2021 Senior Hall of Fame, and volunteered as assistant coach of Ransom Middle School’s Academic Team.
At UWF, she is Honors Council service chair, secretary of the senate in the Student Government Association, continues to work at Ransom Middle School’s assistant academic team coach, is an intern at the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council, and works at the UWF library.
Maggie Brown’s older sister, Samantha Brown, was the Tate High Class of 2017 valedictorian. Samantha Brown appeared on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” in 2018.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
First Baptist Bratt Holding Spring Fling On Saturday
March 2, 2023
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a community Spring Fling this Saturday.
The free event from 1-3 p.m. will include games, food, popcorn, snowcones, a bounce house and more.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt is located at 4570 West Highway 4 in Bratt, just west of Northview High School.
Slight Chance Of Rain Today; Thunderstorms Possible For Friday Morning
March 2, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: A slight chance of showers before noon, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon. Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 80. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 52. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.