Hilson Named FloridaWest’s New CEO
July 31, 2023
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance recently named Brian Hilson as their new CEO. His first day on the job will be Tuesday.
With more than 40 years experience, Hilson previous served as the president & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, president & CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance, and executive director of the Japan-America Society of Alabama, in addition to other roles.
FloridaWest Board Chair Rick Byars said Hilson’s deep experience and successes in economic development initiatives made him a unanimous board choice for the position.
“Brian comes with significant wins in Alabama, a close competitor for business recruitment,” said Byars. “His leadership helped lure Toyota and three Mercedes facilities, which resulted in $2.3 billion in investment and 2,700 jobs. These are just two highlights of dozens of economic development successes under his leadership. We’re excited to get Brian on board and engaged in the community.”
“Pensacola and Escambia County have an impressive track record in recruiting and developing businesses,” said Hilson. “The community has much to offer growing businesses as well as people who want to live and work here. We have excellent leadership already in place, not only at the EDA but throughout the community and Gulf Coast region, and my hope is that we will work closely together to bring more economic prosperity to the region resulting in better opportunities and an improved quality of life for all citizens.”
Hilson replaces former CEO Scott Luth, who left in May and is now vice president of Economic Development & Capital Programs at Space Florida.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the designated economic development organization for Pensacola and Escambia County.
Berry Homers, But Blue Wahoos Fall to Braves In Series Finale
July 31, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos couldn’t end their weeklong road trip with a win, falling 10-5 to the Mississippi Braves on a hot Sunday afternoon.
Jacob Berry was a bright spot, as the Miami prospect capped his first week at Double-A with his first Blue Wahoos homer in the sixth inning of a losing effort.
Cody Morissette got the Blue Wahoos on the board in the second inning with a little help from Victor Mesa Jr. at second base. Morissette flied out to deep right field, but Mesa was able to tag and advance two bases to score the game’s first run.
M.D. Johnson (L, 1-4) ran into trouble in the bottom of the second, allowing three runs on three hits to give the Braves a 3-1 lead. Drew Campbell and Cal Conley hit RBI singles, while Cody Milligan added an RBI double.
The Braves added a run in the fifth on a Luke Waddell RBI double, and blew the game open with a five-run sixth against the Pensacola bullpen. Cade Bunnell hit a solo homer, and Campbell, Waddell and Drew Lugbauer added RBI singles to stretch their lead to 9-2.
That would be more than enough for Mississippi’s Domingo Robles (W, 6-7), who allowed only two runs over 6.0 innings in a quality start. The Blue Wahoos tacked on three runs in the late innings on a Morissette homer and RBI singles from Mesa and Will Banfield, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.
With an eighth-inning triple, his fifth of the season and ninth of his Pensacola career, José Devers tied former Blue Wahoo Jose Siri for the most triples in franchise history.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game home series against the Biloxi Shuckers on Tuesday.
written by Erik Bremer
Leon C. Fowler
July 31, 2023
Leon C. Fowler, age 88, of Magnolia, TX passed away on July 22, 2023. He was born on September 29, 1934 to Cullen and Ora Bell Lord Fowler. He was a Collections Specialist.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lynn Fowler; two sons, Chris Fowler and David Fowler, his sister, Brenda Faye Fowler and his brother, James William Fowler, Sr.
He is survived by his sons, Eric Fowler and Michael Fowler; his daughters, Francine (Carl) Raimondi, Catherine (Frank) Raia, Cynthia (Thomas) Piercy and Julianna Fowler; his brother, Bobby Fowler; his sisters, Joan (Donald) Mahon, Betty (Oscar) Seara and Shirley Fowler; eleven grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. at Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery. Interment will follow in Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery in Davisville, FL with military honors.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, A
Anna Carriles
July 31, 2023
Anna Carriles, 90 of Molino passed away on July 27, 2023. Anna was born in Houma, Louisiana on January 27, 1933 to Anatole and Anita Frederick. She worked in retail for over 40 years working for Sears, the Medical Center Clinic and most recently Lowes in the Plumbing Department. Anna was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for many years until she moved out of the area.
Anna loved her family deeply. One of her favorite things was having family get togethers where she would prepare her family’s favorite dishes including her infamous macaroni and cheese. Anna had a passion for travel; she always had her bags packed and ready to go. She enjoyed long road trips back home to Louisiana or across the country to visit friends and family on her way to Alaska. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to those who needed and always had a dollar or two in her pocket for her grandchildren when they visited.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Anatole and Anita Frederick; her brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Peggy Frederick; sister-in-law, Gail Frederick; son, Albert Carriles; grandson, Zachary Martinez; great-grandson, Wyatt Mixson; and son-in-law, Joe Trujillo.
She is survived by her brother, Louis Frederick, her children; Linda Murphy (Murphy); Betty Aldridge (Steve); Mary Trujillo; Robert Carriles (Sue); Judy and Mark; Pattie Martinez (Dubby); her grandchildren; Michelle Rhodes, Robert Brown, Lisa Cook, Josh Aldridge, Michael Carriles, Matthew Carriles, Jonathan Carriles, Kenny Trujillo, Melissa Biggham, Emily Buckley, David Pierce, Keith Pierce, Anamarie Mixson and Britni Martinez; many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The service will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment, FL.
Visitation for family will begin at 1:30 pm and open to all others at 2:00pm. The service will begin at 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sportsmen Givin’ Back or Rally Gulf Coast in honor of Wyatt Mixson and all the children fighting for cancer.
Special thanks to Sandy and Paige with Emerald Coast Hospice and Palliative Care.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Report Details How Deputies Captured Two After Century Burglary In Progress
July 31, 2023
A report details how two suspects were captured after deputies responded to a burglary in progress in Century early Sunday morning.
Jessie Clayton Bell, age 36 of Flomaton, and Robert Zachary Weaver, age 29 of Foley, were both booked into the Escambia County Jail on felony charges of burglary causing $1,000 or more of damage and criminal mischief. Initial bond was set at $52,500 each.
According to a report obtained Monday morning by NorthEscambia.com, a resident on Jefferson Avenue near Pond Street reported about 2:19 that his window had been busted and he believed someone tried to enter the home. He told dispatchers that a male and female were still in his yard, and advised later that a shirtless male ran east toward the old school known as the Century Business Center on Pond Street.
Deputies responded to the Century Business Center and detained Bell.
At the home, two windows were discovered broken from the outside, and bars of the window were broken and pushed inward. Deputies said there were multiple yard and power tools just inside one window.
Each window was valued at about $800.
The suspects’ 2004 Jeep was parked nearby, and a records check revealed it belonged to Weaver’s fiance. The keys were in Bell’s possession when he was detained.
Weaver was located by deputies and a K-9 in Ensley a short time later.
According to jail records, Bell has an outstanding warrant from Escambia County in Alabama, and Weaver was wanted in Baldwin County.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kathryn Ann (Walrack) Diamond
July 31, 2023
On July 25th, 2023 our Heavenly Gracious Father opened His arms wide and welcomed our beautiful mother, Kathryn Ann (Walrack) Diamond, home.
Kathy came into this world the same way that she lived it, enthusiastic and vibrant. She was born April 2, 1945 at the Ringling Brothers home in Baraboo, WI, to George and Helen (Mikich) Walrack. She was the fifth of six children and while her family was at the circus, she came so fast her mother couldn’t get to the hospital.
Kathy grew up in Blanchardville, WI where her parents owned a dairy farm. She graduated from Blanchardville High School in 1963. While living on the farm, her brothers taught her to shoot which benefited her when she later joined the Air Force and became an Expert Marksman in her unit. After High School, Kathy moved to Madison, WI where she later met her ex-husband, Louie Diamond. They had 2 daughters, Alicia and Sharon. In July of 1977, on a dare, Kathy Joined the WI Air National Guard and was only the 2nd female to go into Law Enforcement. After her tour, she joined the Army and became a Combat Medic. After her 2-year enlistment with the Army, Kathy went back into the Air Force and was assigned to Air Force Intelligence. She was able to land a short tour with US Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Command. She then served for the Air Intelligence Center at the Pentagon, in Washington DC, and later was chosen to work with the Air Force Reserve Command at the Pentagon to supervise the NCOs for the Air Force National Security Emergency Preparedness Unit. She was then chosen to help with the startup of the Air Force Division of Homeland Security where after 26 years she retired in April 2005 as a Senior Master Sergeant. After retiring, Kathy moved to Florida to be closer to her daughters. Kathy’s biggest joy and pride was spending time with her family. She loved ALL of her family deeply and was an amazing mother. She was a faithful and Godly woman who was a member of Pinewoods Presbyterian Church. Kathy had a passion for helping others by serving on numerous mission teams such as feeding, clothing and having blanket drives for the Homeless, Group meals for college students, and mentoring to prisoners. Kathy also wrote daily devotionals on her Facebook page, which helped many people. Kathy had a zest for life and truly lived life to the fullest. She loved to travel, dance, horseback ride, to play cards and games, go boating, cooking, working in her flower beds, and playing with her dogs, Piddy Pot and Sabrina. She was so proud of taking her mother to Jamaica for her 80th birthday. She also spent endless hours researching and putting an ancestry book together for both her mother and fathers’ side of the family. She will truly be missed by all those that knew her, she will always be our Thelma.
She is preceded in death by her parents George and Helen (Mikich) Walrack; brothers, Matthew, Stephen, Keith, Stanley Walrack and sister Gloria (Walrack) Mastandrea.
She is survived by her 2 daughters, Alicia Diamond (Greye) Rynders and Sharon Diamond; 4 grandchildren, Cory and Kyle Driver, Aaron Allen and Jordan Rynders; one great grandson, Gunnar Rynders and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Kathy’s Extraordinary Life and Service at Pinewoods Presbyterian Church, 2198 County Road 297A, Cantonment, FL 32533, August 19, 2023, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Snapper Rules, River Rescues
July 31, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement recently reported the following activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Major Rondeau and Officers Hahr and Allgood were patrolling offshore and conducted boating safety and resource inspections on two boats. The boats were in possession of undersized red snapper. Both vessel captains were cited for possession of undersized red snapper.
Officers Allgood and Hahr were on patrol and conducted resource inspections on a boat returning from fishing with a large bag of snapper and other reef fish. The man and woman were in possession of 22 vermillion snapper, two over the bag limit. The captain of the vessel was cited for the bag limit violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Lewis was patrolling in the Blackwater State Forest when he encountered a camper he had spoken with earlier about litter around her campsite. As he was talking to her, he observed drug paraphernalia on her car hood. The woman grabbed it and tried to bury it in a mud puddle and ignored Officer Lewis’ commands to stop. As he tried to take the woman into custody, her pit bulldog attacked the officer. The woman was subdued and arrested for resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and tampering with evidence.
Officers Burkhead, Lugg, and Ramos assisted in a search for overdue boaters who were trapped in severe weather on Escambia River. The boaters had run out of fuel and were lost on Escambia River after going night fishing. The officers located and assisted the boaters safely back to a local boat ramp.
Officers Wilkenson, Lugg, and Burkhead assisted in a search for two kayakers who were caught in severe weather on Blackwater River. The kayakers launched from Bryant Bridge Road and proceeded down river. Swift current from a storm overturned one of their kayaks. They were able to swim to a sandbar. The officers located them and transported them safely back to a boat ramp with the assistance of Munson Fire Rescue.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Gibson Road Bridge In Molino Has Been One Lane For Two Years. Now It’s Set For Replacement.
July 30, 2023
Escambia County is set to award a $2 million contract this week to replace the 64-year old Alligator Creek bridge on Gibson Road in Molino.
It is a 78-foot wood-supported bridge was constructed in 1959 and is currently beyond its designed service life. It’s also listed as being structural deficient, and there is history of the creek overtopping the bridge. In August 2020, the eastbound lane of the bridge was closed after a failed Florida Department of Transportation inspection.
The proposed replacement bridge will be 102 feet long and over 37 feet wide. The bridge will be a three-span precast concrete structure supported by prestressed concrete piles, and the bridge height will be raised above flood levels. Associated roadway improvements on Gibson Road include approximately 463 feet of roadway replacement and widening.
Gibson Road will be closed for the duration of the project, estimated to be 280 days once construction begins.
Only two companies bid on the project, with the low bid of $1,982,623.88 from RJ Gorman Contracting. An additional $238,286.80 contract is set to be awarded to Neel-Shaffer, Inc. for construction, engineering and inspection services.
The Escambia County Commission will consider the contract awards at a meeting on Thursday.
Gibson Road connects Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
The Heat Is On! Highs About 99-100 The Next Few Days, Higher Heat Index
July 30, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 111. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 111. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 76. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 77.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
D.R. Horton’s Proposal Down To $24.1 Million For OLF-8. Here’s Exactly What They Are Offering.
July 30, 2023
D.R. Horton’s offer for the county-owned OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road has been dropped from $42 million for over 500 acres to $24.1 million for 297 acres.
That’s because Escambia County is holding back 241 acres for job creation near the Navy Federal Credit Union campus.
D.R. Horton proposed to use 99 acres for commercial use including restaurants, retail, offices, medical and a town center. The plan also shows 170 acres with 1,133 residential units, including 360 townhomes and 336 apartments.
To read the entire 27-page D.R. Horton offer, click or tap here (pdf).