Courtney Taylor (Lee) Lassitter
January 16, 2024
Courtney Taylor (Lee) Lassitter, 34, of Pensacola, Florida, went to be with the Lord on January 11th, 2024. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Courtney – a soul whose presence left a mark on those fortunate enough to have known her. She is welcomed into eternal peace by her grandmothers, Linda Farrior and Wanda Lee, and her grandfather, Kenneth Tyson.
Courtney’s passion for creating lasting connections extended beyond friendships, captured through her lens in every photograph she took. Her greatest masterpieces, however, were her two beloved sons, Joshua and Hudson Lassitter, whom she cherished with unwavering love.
Courtney is survived by her two sons; her father, Michael D. Lee Sr.; her mother, Cheryl McClurg; her brother, David Lee; her sister, Catriona Lochhead; her grandfather, Bob Lee; and her grandmother, Margaret Jackson.
Through everything, Courtney never stopped smiling. She was a beacon of warmth, loyalty, and vibrancy. She illuminated any room she entered, and to know Courtney was to know a friend.
Viewing services will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 from 5-6 PM for family and from 6-8 PM for all those who wish to pay their respects. The funeral ceremony will take place at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 10:30 AM, followed by the burial at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
Honoring Courtney as pallbearers are Stephen Trail, Ethan Hardin, TJ Deriemacker, Brian Jones, Chris Ard, and Javaris Davis.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Freezing Rain Forecast For Extreme North Escambia; Wind Chill Advisory; Freeze Warning
January 15, 2024
Freezing rain is forecast for extreme northern Escambia County in Florida Monday night into Tuesday morning, especially in areas like Century, Bratt, Walnut Hill, McDavid and Davisville. Little or no ice accumulation expected.
There is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Escambia County in Alabama. Freezing rain is likely late Monday into early Tuesday morning in Escambia, Alabama.. Minor ice accumulation is possible, generally for locations along and to the northwest of the I-65 corridor, with ice accumulation of a few hundredths of an inch likely (localized accumulation up to 0.10 inches possible). Slick and hazardous spots on sidewalks and roads, especially on bridges and overpasses. Only travel if necessary, keep your devices charged, check on neighbors, and bring pets indoors.
There is a Wind Chill Advisory withcold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 10 above zero.
There is a Hard Freeze Warning with sub-freezing temperatures as low as 16 expected. Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Here is your official forecast from NorthEscambia.com:
Tuesday: A chance of freezing rain before 9am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 36. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 15. Wind chill values between 5 and 10. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 5 and 15 early. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 22. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 43.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
With Children’s Trust Funding Cut, UDC YouthFirst Program Misses Repayment Of $41K Unsecured Loan To Town Of Century
January 15, 2024
After the Escambia County Children’s Trust on denied to renew funding for the Urban Development Center’s (UDC) YouthFirst Century program, the UDC missed their final loan payment now says it needs more time to repay a $41,925 loan to the Town of Century .
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center (UDC) for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement for their first year of operation, despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
The Town of Century fronted an unsecured $61,925 loan to UDC to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The 500 workbooks at $52.75 per workbook were to be purchased from UDC for $26,375. UDC said they would reimburse the town after they received the ECT funding, but no specific deadline was established. At least $20,000 was recently repaid to the town, according to audio from a council meeting. However, a public records request to the town provided no concrete evidence of the payment.
The town loaned the money without any repayment schedue, but UDC CEO Jessica Griffen later proposed that the remaining $41,295 be repaid by December 31, 2023.
“The UDC was unable to meet its proposed repayment date and we are formally requesting an extension for repayment to, on or before March 31, 2004,” Griffen said in a January 10 letter to Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr., as she cited “the slow nature of our financial receivables”.
UDC’s reimbursement request from ECT included about $60,000 for personnel, $6,212 in travel, $2,692 for advertising, $37,000 for program supplies, $1,201 for field trips, $59,000 in “sub-grants to partners”, and $21,000 for professional services for 56 children, 29 of which are not in the program’s target group.
Pictured top and inset: Dr. Jessica A. Griffen, CEO of The Urban Development Center, addresses the Century Town Council and then-Mayor Ben Boutwell in early 2023. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Notes on the UDC budget above, per the application: JetFuel is a Century based technology entrepreneurial business operated by Calvin Cottrell. Tutor4You is a tutoring service with “Mr. Sanders”. Reality Check Counseling is Susan Dawson, a licensed mental health counselor. Favored Hearts is owned by Cordella Allen, a clinical nurse, that will provide CPR certifications.
Grass Fire Spreads To Consume Vacant Cantonment Mobile Home
January 15, 2024
A grass fire spread and consumed an abandoned mobile home in Cantonment Sunday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 2:20 p.m. off the 1700 block of Arena Road, west of South County Road 97.
There was no immediate word on what sparked the grass fire.
The Cantonment and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were among those responding to the fire.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Change To ECUA Schedule Due To MLK Day; Government Offices Closed
January 15, 2024
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the following offices will be closed Monday, January 15, 2024:
Escambia County
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- Escambia County Area Transit Administration
- ECAT will not run service Monday, Jan. 15. Regular service will resume Tuesday, Jan. 16.
- The Perdido Landfill will be open Monday, Jan. 15.
Town of Century
Town of Century offices will be closed.
ECUA
ECUA business offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. However, residential and commercial sanitation collections will be unaffected by the holiday and will be carried out as usual. Customers may contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for more information.
ECUA: Protect Your Pipes From Freezing Temperatures
January 15, 2024
There are steps that will protect household pipes from freezing temperatures forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. External, exposed pipes are naturally the most likely to freeze. Here are tips from ECUA:
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This prevents the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
- Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and/or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually, this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
- Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
January 15, 2024
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through Spring of 2024 as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (State Road (S.R.) 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter daytime lane closures and intermittent nighttime lane closures between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Jan. 15 through Friday, Jan. 19 as crews perform concrete and striping work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed until fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from north of Interstate 10 (I-10) to Davis Highway- Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures from I-10 to Davis Highway on Sunday, Jan.14, through Thursday, Jan.18, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 City of Milton Martin Luther King Parade – Motorist will encounter a road closure on S.R. 87 from Elva Street and Raymond Hobbs Street from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for the City of Milton Martin Luther King parade.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 16 through Thursday, Jan. 18 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Jan. 14, through Friday, Jan. 19, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may experience intermittent S.R. 87 single-lane closures, between Hickory Hammock Road and Technology Avenue, Monday, Jan. 15 through Friday, Jan. 19 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for turn lane construction and paving operations.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) westbound at Blackwater River Resurfacing – Drivers will encounter intermittent single-lane closures on I-10 westbound, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (exit 28) to the Black Water River Bridge eastern approach, Tuesday, Jan. 16 through Thursday, Jan. 18 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wiener Dog Race Night: Ice Flyers With Big Win To End Losing Streak
January 15, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
Fueled by another record-setting crowd Saturday night, the vibe was evident before the game-opening faceoff.
And the Ice Flyers matched it with a special performance.
Just as another attendance mark was shattered, so was a seven-game losing streak in a big way as the Ice Flyers rolled past the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs in a 6-2 victory, as a crowd of 7,243 at the Pensacola Bay Center celebrated the team’s first win since before Christmas.
“We’ve been talking a lot, the last two or three weeks, but it was more actions tonight,” said team captain Garrett Milan, who assisted on a go-ahead goal in the first period that became vital. “I think we were all kind of embarrassed personally and that’s what I said to the group.
“As much as we’re not playing very well, as much as we’re getting bashed, which is as it should be, when it’s getting personal now,” he said, detailing his address to teammates. “And I think everyone took that personally going into this game and played their hearts out and it showed on the ice.”
Before much of the crowd – a 15-year franchise record for a non-discounted night that became the second 7,000-plus this season – had even settled into seats, the Ice Flyers scored the first goal.
Houston Wilson, who had a goal in Friday night’s 5-2 loss to Roanoke, rifled a wrist shot into the top corner of the net just 43 seconds into the game.
Just over a minute later, Roanoke tied the game and groans ensued throughout the arena.
Four minutes later, however, Milan and Joseph Widmar, set up Wilson with his second goal and from that point the Ice Flyers kept that same high-level play.
“Even when they tied it up pretty quickly, it was that response,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “How are we going to respond to a little bit of adversity? And we went right back down there and started doing some good things.
‘I thought (Ice Flyers forwards) hunted down their D (defense) all night long. When we are playing good hockey, it’s about getting the puck in the offensive zone and going to work. The guys really bought in and it was total, complete effort.
“I thought how we were just making simple plays made the game look a lot of easier for us. It had a nice fluidity out there. When you play that way and everybody is all on the same page, it makes the game a lot easier.”
The Ice Flyers took a 3-1 lead later in the first period when Mitch Atkins scored his 10th goal this season.
Five minutes into the second period, the Ice Flyers appeared to go up 4-1, but the goal was disallowed, because the referee momentarily lost sight of the puck in a scramble in the crease area and blew his whistle. Because the whistle blew before the goal, a replay couldn’t be used.
No matter. The Ice Flyers then strung together two goals in just over 60 seconds apart when newcomers Adam Keyes scored his third goal of the season and Reggie Millette celebrated his first goal since joining the Ice Flyers.
And then just 13 seconds into the third period, Widmar finished the Ice Flyers scoring and the game was put away.
Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger delivered a series of terrific saves throughout the game, but most notably in the first period when Roanoke had several odd man rushes and some good look chances.
“Just believing,” said Ice Flyers winger Malik Johnson, who got the crowd going early in the game with a late first-period fight that set a tone on how physical the Ice Flyers were in this game. “You’re on a seven-game losing streak… probably the biggest one I’ve had in my career. I told the boys we are playing for us and let’s just have fun.”
They did. And what’s more, a record crowd watched it.
“We have the best fans in the league,” Johnson said. “We were on seven-game losing streak and to have fans like that come out and watch us, we wanted to get the job done especially for them.”
“The crowd was spectacular,” Graham said. “It was loud, and I think the boys fed off of that.”
The Ice Flyers will now remain at home this week before hosting Huntsville and Macon in back-to-back games next weekend.
“I just want them to go out be safe and have fun (Saturday) as a team,” Graham said. “I want them to enjoy this. It has been very tense around here. I have been on them hard. They earned that the old fashion way.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Huntsville Havoc vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Friday (Jan. 19), 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
New 440 Lot Development Proposed Off Highway 29 Near Neal Road
January 14, 2024
A new 440-lot residential development named Bella Terra is proposed for the Cantonment area.
Mullins, LLC has submitted plans to the Escambia County Development Review Committee for the multiphase development at the southwest corner of Cedartree Lane and Highway 29. The southernmost boundary of the project area extends to Neal Road.
The project is proposed in three phases, the earliest starting construction in the Fall of 2024 with completion in the Fall of 2025. The later phase is proposed to begin in the Summer of 2025 with completion by the Summer of 2026.
The plans are currently in an initial application status with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and are set for staff internal review. Public meetings have not yet been scheduled.
NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Murdered After Trying To Stop Fight On Atmore Street
January 14, 2024
An arrest has been made in a Saturday morning murder in Atmore.
The Atmore Police Department responded to reported gunfire just before 11 a.m. in the area of Martin Luther King Avenue and Bragg Street.
They found a 39-year old Okeema McCants suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. McCants was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
“Witnesses stated that Mr. McCants was driving on Martin Luther King when he stopped to try and stop a physical altercation between a group of males in the street. Multiple shots were fired shortly after Mr. McCants tried to intervene,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Witnesses provided police with a description that led to the arrest of 25-year old Charles DeWayne Walker of Atmore about two hours later. Atmore Police said he was in possession of a handgun stolen from Jefferson County, Alabama, at the time of his arrest and had an outstanding warrant for theft of property.
Walker was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond on a charge of murder.
Investigators are attempting to identify the subjects involved in the altercation. Anyone with information is asked to call Atmore Police at (251) 368-9141.