We Are Now Officially In A Severe Drought
September 29, 2023
A severe drought exists across much of the North Escambia area, according to the latest information released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center.
A portion of Escambia County in Alabama is under an extreme drought.
There is no rainfall in the forecast for the next week in the North Escambia area.
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile:
- Many local streams and rivers have shown some degradation in flow and stage remaining at below or much below normal levels. This can lead to hazards and increased difficulty in safe navigation of recreational boating and commercial waterway needs.
- Crop condition in the driest of areas remains very poor and pasture lands provide little to no livestock feed. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition.
- Increase in air-borne allergens likely to create problems for respiratory sensitive groups.
- Water conservation techniques are strongly encouraged in drought areas
Dry, Warm Days; Nightly Lows In The 60s
September 29, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Light northeast wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 60. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
T-Mobile Goes Live On Cell Tower In Town Park, Increasing Revenue For Century
September 29, 2023
T-Mobile went live recently on a cell tower in a town-owned park, and that should mean a little more revenue for Century.
In 2021, the Century Town Council approved a five-year lease with options out to 40 years with Diamond Towers for a tower with AT&T service on a parcel of land in the town’s Anthony Pleasant Park off West Highway 4. It’s a small area tucked away essentially at the back of the park.
In early 2022, AT&T was the first carrier to provide service from the tower.
Diamond pays about $1,500 per month for at least five years under the terms of the contract. There is another $500 per month due for any additional cellular provider, such as T-Mobile, collocated on the tower in the future. There are annual options for slight increases.
Pictured: This tower at Anthony Pleasant Park in Century provides AT&T and T-Mobile service now. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rep. Salzman Holding Essay Contest For Students To Be A House Page Or Messenger
September 29, 2023
Rep. Michelle Salzman is holding an essay contest to select the 2024 page/messenger she will nominate to service in the Florida House program.
Pages and messengers work one week at the Florida Capitol during the 60-day regular legislative session. They assist representatives and their staff during the busy time while observing state government in action.
The deadline for students in grades 6-12 to enter is October 16. Essays should be around 500 words and discuss what civics means to the writer. First and last name, grade and parental contact information should be included. Email to trevor.huff@myfloriahouse.gov.
While performing their duties, pages and messengers have the opportunity to observe lawmakers, lobbyists, staff, and constituents working together in the legislative process. Opportunities will include committee meetings, House sessions in the chamber, and occasionally press conferences with notable people or celebrities.
The page and messenger program is a longstanding tradition in the Florida House of Representatives, dating back to 1865. Each student who serves as a page or messenger will have his or her name appear in the Journal of the House. This will be an official record of their time spent in the Florida House to perhaps one day show their children and grandchildren.
For more information on page and messengers, click here.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Is Tonight’s High School Football Schedule
September 29, 2023
Here is tonight’s North Escambia area football schedule:
FLORIDA
- Milton at Tate
- Northview at Elberta (Ala.)
- Jay at Destin
- Walton at West Florida
- Fort Walton Beach at Pine Forest
- Washington at Escambia
- Baker at Lighthouse Private Christian Academy
- Pensacola at Pensacola Catholic
- Pace at Gulf Breeze
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy at Hooper Academy
- Monroe County at Escambia County (Atmore)
- Byes – Flomaton, T.R. Miller, W.S Neal
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Steve McKinley
September 29, 2023
Steve McKinley, age 73, of Nokomis, AL passed away on September 27, 2023. He was born on February 2, 1950 in Atmore, AL to Tralve and Ethel Brown McKinley. He was a 1968 graduate of Escambia County High School. Steve was a member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church. He was the owner and operator of McKinley’s Auto Service for 41 years. He is preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Barbara Sue McKinley.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Catherine (Cathy) James McKinley; his daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Chris Wilson, his grandsons, Dustin (Ashley) Wilson and Steve (Maddie) Wilson, his great grandson, Kasen Luke Wilson, and his unborn great granddaughter, McKinley Kate Wilson, his siblings, Mary Ann Minchew and Debbie Smith, and his sweet fur baby, Fluffy Jo.
Graveside services will be held Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore with Bro. Don Davis officiating.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Willneila Wiggins Henderson
September 29, 2023
Willneila Wiggins Henderson, age 92, of Flomaton, Alabama, went home to the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 27, 2023. She was born to an Assembly of God Church planter and pastor, Preston S. and Grace L. Wiggins on August 7, 1931. She had a lifelong devotion to her husband, children, and church, where she was a trustee and taught Sunday School for over 40 years.
Willneila was a lady of great faith who trusted God to order her steps. Her relationship with Him permeated every aspect of her life and this overflowed to others in selfless and unconditional love. She believed in living life with as few regrets as possible and you could not find a more diligent or hard-working person. She did everything with excellence as unto Him and believed there’s never a situation you cannot overcome with the strength of the Lord.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Preston (Grace) Wiggins, husband, Wiley P. Henderson, three brothers, Rayford (Ellie) Wiggins, Lee Roy (Lois) Wiggins, Leonard (Jan) Wiggins, and one sister, Clydell (Olin) Tisdale.
Her life was fully submitted to Him, and the joy of the Lord was her strength. Her God was real and more powerful than anything else in the world. She wanted everyone to know He is so wonderful and that He can be real to them. She believed to have a relationship with Jesus, you need to talk to him every day. It was important to her that her children know Him in the same way. She would often say that we have so much to be thankful for, God is so good, and He loves us so much. He can be real to you.
Willneila married Wiley P. Henderson on March 8, 1958, and was a devoted wife for 39 years until his passing. They had four children who meant the world to them: Wiley Phillip Henderson, Jr. (Teresa), of Montgomery, AL; Rachel H. Bickerstaff (Elliott), of Madison, MS; Dr. Charlotte H. Lee (Spencer), of Auburn, AL; and Victoria H. Benton (Dale) in Anniston/Oxford, AL. Willneila had eight grandchildren: Wiley (Abby) Henderson, Elizabeth (Cameron) Osmore, Joshua Henderson, Samuel (Makayla) Henderson, Matthew Bickerstaff, Sarah Grace Lee, Ben Lee, Daniel Benton, and one great-grandchild Wyatt Osmore.
Mrs. Henderson leaves a legacy of great faith, and her trust in Jesus’ name gave her the strength and confidence to fight the good fight and finish the race. A celebration of Willneila’s life will be held at the First Baptist Church of Flomaton on October 1st at 4:00 p.m. and will be preceded by an hour of visitation at 3:00 p.m. Dr. Roland Brown, of Golden Springs Baptist Church of Anniston, AL., and Jake Bondurant of First Baptist Church of Flomaton, AL., will be officiating the services.
Burial will follow at Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Wiley P. Henderson III, Joshua Henderson, Samuel Henderson, Matthew Bickerstaff, Daniel Benton, and Cameron Osmore.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home oversees all arrangements.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
September 29, 2023
Ransom Middle School has named their Students of the Month for August. They are Kylee Middleton and Demarcus Anderson, both eighth graders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jimmy Lee Raines
September 29, 2023
was born in Century, FL but lived in Atmore until 1980. He spent his lifetime living in the Flomaton area where he was a truck driver for over 20 years. He worked for Campbell’s Sand and Gravel, G.B. “Boots” Smith Oilfield Services, and Howell Transportation whose name was later changed to Genesis Crude Oil. He had many good times working with his friends and talking on the CB radio with his call sign being “Iceman”. He left Genesis Crude Oil to work for McKenzie Tank Lines in Pensacola, FL where he managed the sulfur substation near Atmore until its closure. He retired from Covington Heavy Duty Diesel Parts in Pensacola in 2009.
He was a very talented man doing whatever he put his mind to. He was an accomplished craftsman, working with wood, building additions to his home, furniture and gunstocks. He was especially proud of his knife handles. He was a talented artist, and self-taught karate martial arts.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Ruby Crawford Raines; his brothers, Walter H. Raines, II and Jesse Harold Raines.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan Neal Raines of Flomaton, AL; his son, Brian Raines (Dawn Watson) of Flomaton, AL; his daughter, Melissa (Jeffrey) Coleman of Flomaton, AL; his brother, Joseph C. Raines of Atmore, AL; his sister, Barbara (Charles “Skip”) Beasley of Castleberry, AL; his grandchildren, Ruby Raines and Lily Coleman both of Flomaton, AL; Kenzie Dall and Kason Dall both of Pace, FL; grandchildren in love, Johnny Ray Heathcock, Jazymn Heathcock, Jayla Heathcock all of Pace, FL; special niece, Skyler Wallace of Mobile, AL; special nephew, Tim Neal of Flomaton, AL; aunt, Bessie Brantley of Atmore, AL; numerous, much loved other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 2, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel with Bro. Pat Carden officiating. Interment will follow in Canoe Freewill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Tim Neal, Reuben Neal, Stevie Powell, John Walker, Jessie Blair, and Jason Dall.
Honorary pallbearers will be Brandon Chambers, Daniel Morris and Jeffrey Coleman. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel.
We wish to thank Southern Care Hospice of Atmore for their wonderful care and extreme compassion that they showed to us. These ladies are magnificent and were a blessing to us. We wish a heartfelt thanks especially to Ms. Donna. She is amazing and was a tremendous God send to us with her knowledge, strength and love.
Willie Jean Harden
September 29, 2023
Willie Jean Harden resident of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on September 28, 2023, at the age of 87.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.