Flora Mae Williamson
July 29, 2023
Mrs. Flora Mae Williamson, age 83, passed away Saturday, July 15, 2023, at her Brewton residence.
Mrs. Williamson was born in Century, FL and had been a lifelong resident of Brewton. During her working years she was a seamstress at Vanity Fair. She was of the Baptist Faith. Mrs. Williamson was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Nelson and Lennie Sue McArthur Nelson; grandson, James Williamson; and great-grandson, Cody Nolan.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Bobby James Williamson, Sr. of Brewton; two sons, Bobby James Williamson, Jr. of Wallace, AL and Anthony “Tony” (Susie) Williamson of Jay, FL; a daughter, Eileen (George) Plovanich of Rabun, AL; two sisters, Edna Jean Wiggins of Brewton and Linda Baggett of Florala; eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m.. on Monday, July 30, 2023, from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Bro. Ricky Tetter officiating.
Braves Top The Wahoos 4-1 Friday Night
July 29, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos saw their five-game winning streak come to a close on Friday night with a 4-1 loss to the Mississippi Braves.
Despite plenty of opportunities, the Blue Wahoos went 1-for-11 with men in scoring position and were victimized by some bad luck in yet another low-scoring game in Mississippi.
The Braves took the game’s first lead in the second on a solo home run from Drew Lugbauer and an RBI single from Beau Philip. Lugbauer’s home run was his 15th of the year, and 16th in his career against Pensacola to lead all active Southern League players.
Mississippi starter Nolan Kingham (W, 1-0) lived on the edge through 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing doubles to Will Banfield and Norel González that nearly cleared the outfield fence but stayed in the ballpark. He outdueled Blue Wahoos starter Jonathan Bermudez (L, 2-3), who allowed four runs over 5.0 frames in the loss.
Jesse Franklin V doubled the Mississippi lead to 4-0 in the fifth with a two-out, two-run double. The Blue Wahoos scored their lone run on a Dalvy Rosario RBI fielder’s choice in the seventh inning, and saw an eighth-inning rally come up short before Kyle Wilcox (S, 3) locked down the Braves win in the ninth.
Luarbert Arias struck out three batters in 2.0 hitless innings of relief for the Blue Wahoos in his Double-A debut.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Braves on Saturday.
written by Erik Bremer
Mary Louise Lowery
July 29, 2023
Mary Louise Lowery, 96, of Jay, passed away on July 28, 2023. She was born November 25, 1926 to J. W. and Florence Renfroe in Century, FL.
She was a life-long resident of Jay. Mary Lou married Curtis B. Lowery on Dec 20, 1945. She was a faithful and devoted wife and mother. Mary Lou and Curtis spent much of their retirement traveling across the country visiting old friends and fishing, continuing the farm life whenever they were home. They were married over 56 years when he passed away in 2002.
She was preceded in death by parents, J. W. and Florence Renfroe; husband, Curtis B. Lowery; son, Glen Steven Lowery; and siblings: Richard Earl Renfroe, Grover Renfroe, Bill Renfroe, Henry Renfroe, Margaret Nordan, and Dorothy Wiggins.
Survivors include son, Jerry K. (Helen) Lowery; daughter-in-law, JoAnn Lowery; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchild; many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral service begins at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at Trahan Family Funeral Home, Milton Chapel with Rev. Frederick Barrow officiating.
Special thank you to West Gate Village in Brewton, AL for the loving care they gave her the last years of her life.
Century Woman Refuses To Exit Plane, Runs Out Next To Pensacola Airport Runway, PPD Says
July 28, 2023
A Century woman was arrested after she became unruly on a plane and ran out to an area next to a runway, according to police.
Dorissa Louise Owens, 35, as charged with felony trespassing for violating a designated operational area of an airport.
Owens became unruly on an American Airlines flight on the ground at Pensacola International Airport this week and first refused to leave the aircraft, according to an arrest report. She reportedly borrowed a man’s cell phone and went to the back to the plane with it. After he wanted his phone back, Owens began to ask other passengers for their phone.
Owens was asked to leave the plane by a flight attendant, the pilot and an airline supervisor. Pensacola Police said Owen refused.
When officers arrived, Owens was still refusing but eventually exited the plane, PPD said.
While speaking to officers, Owens took off running down a breezeway and through a fire exit by Gate 5 and onto the ramp area next to the runway, the report states. Two officers caught up with her and took her into custody without further incident.
Owens remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond awaiting extradition on outstanding warrants from Denton, Texas, a Dallas suburb. According to court records in Denton County, Texas, Owens is wanted for failure to appear in a 2022 case in which she was indicted on two counts of harassment of a public servant, and two counts of assault on a peace officer or judge. All of the charges are felonies.
Walnut Hill Man Gets Over 7 Years In State Prison For 2021 Shots Fired Incident
July 28, 2023
A Walnut Hill man has been sentenced to prison for a 2021 shots fired incident in Pensacola.
Robert Douglas Green, 36, pleaded no contest and was found guilty this week of multiple counts of felony aggravated assault, deadly missiles, felony criminal mischief, and misdemeanor criminal mischief.
He was sentenced by Judge Coleman to 86.55 months (just over seven years and two months) in state prison, with credit for 728 days service while awaiting trial.
On July 7, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shots fired incident at the Avery Street Grocery where deputies found 9 mm shell casings in the road and a Toyota with a shattered window. The clerk stated she was in the back room of the store when she heard multiple gunshots. She walked toward the front where she observed a female pulling and banging at the door. She watched surveillance of Green running toward an abandoned house adjacent to the store, the report states.
The victim told the ECSO that Green pulled up in a U-Haul and told her to get in with him, but she ran. When she refused to get in the U-Haul, Green pointed a handgun at her and pulled the trigger, according to the arrest report.
The report states the woman told deputies that she had only known Green for three weeks and “stopped talking to him because he’s crazy”.
The store was hit by gunfire, as was the clerk’s Toyota and a second vehicle, according to the ECSO.
Green remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond Friday morning.
Authorities Seek Information On Cantonment Illegal Dumping Suspect
July 28, 2023
Crime Stoppers is seeking information from the public on someone dumping illegally in the Cantonment area.
The suspect was caught on camera driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck with one notable feature — a black rim on the back passenger side and a silver rim on the front passenger side. Authorities believe the driver is from Cantonment.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Callers with a tip that is used can earn a reward up to $3,000.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friends Of The Library Big Summer Book Sale Is This Weekend
July 28, 2023
The Friends of the West Florida Public Library Big Summer Book Sale continues through the weekend.
Books, DVDs, audiobooks and CDs will be available, with the books sorted into categories to make it easier to find your favorites.
Saturday, July 29, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Half off day No admission fee.
Sunday, July 30 , 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. — $7 Bag Sale. No admission fee.
Credit and debit cards will be accepted.
The sale will be at the Downtown Library, 239 North Spring Street.
File photo.
Northview Chiefs Receive FHSAA Sportsmanship Award
July 28, 2023
The Florida High School Athletic Association has selected Northview High School as the Class 2A runner-up for the Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award.
FHSAA recognizes member schools that promote sportsmanship both on and off the field. The award is given to schools whose athletic teams demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship during the 2022-2023 regular season as well as FHSAA State Series competition. This year, 14 high schools and two middle schools received the prestigious award. Northview was the only Escambia County recipient.
“Northview’s coaches always instill in their athletes respect and class on and off the field,” Northview Athletic Director Obreonne Smith said. “The athletes, coaches, and community working together have made this award possible. Northview High School will continue to strive to ensure all programs are successful.”
The Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award is presented to one school in each classification whose total sports program best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship as demonstrated by its coaches, players and spectators. Awards are also given to a runner up within each classification. Criteria for selection of the winners includes programs and activities implemented within the school and community to promote sportsmanship; the number and type of exceptional sportsmanship reports; and the source of the nomination.
The award, presented annually since 1991, is named in honor of FHSAA Commissioner Emeritus Fred E. Rozelle.
Classification runners-up receive $500 and a commemorative plaque.
While Northview competes in Class 1R in football and 1A in other sports the Chiefs compete in Class 2A in sports including girls and boys track and field.
Pictured: Northview High Principal Mike Sherrill and Athletic Director Obreonne Smith with the Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
More Heat Into The Weekend, Slight Rain Chances
July 28, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
Palacios Nearly Perfect As Blue Wahoos Win Fifth Straight
July 28, 2023
Luis Palacios flirted with a no-hitter and fanned a career-high 11 batters as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Mississippi Braves 4-1 on Thursday night for their fifth win in a row.
Palacios (W, 7-3) didn’t allow a hit until Cody Milligan circled the bases on a triple and a throwing error with two outs in the sixth. The lefty retired 17 in a row, and delivered 7.0 innings without allowing an earned run for the second time in as many starts.
The Blue Wahoos took an early 1-0 lead in the second when Griffin Conine laced an RBI single to center field against Braves starter Alan Rangel (L, 1-11). They added insurance in the sixth on a Cody Morissette RBI double, followed by a two-run homer from Conine against reliever Domingo Gonzalez.
The 5.2 hitless innings from Palacios marked the longest no-hit bid for a Pensacola starter this season. He was relieved by Brady Puckett for a perfect eighth, and Josan Méndez (S, 1) for a scoreless ninth.
Dalvy Rosario was 3-for-4 with a trio of singles and three stolen bases, the most for a Pensacola player in a single game this season.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Braves on Friday.
by Erik Bremer