DeSantis Declares State Of Emergency Following Severe Weather
January 9, 2024
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in 49 Florida counties following severe weather.
The order includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties
“Because of the foregoing conditions, which are expected to constitute a major disaster, I declare that a state of emergency exists,” the order stated.
The order directs the state to seek federal assistance from the White House and activates the state National Guard. It also allows emergency contracts without the customary bidding process.
Priscilla Nelson Snow
January 9, 2024
Priscilla Nelson Snow, age 81, of Atmore, AL passed away on January 4, 2024. She was born on September 20, 1942 in Pensacola, FL to Maurice and Helen Coon Nelson. She was a cosmetologist until she retired. She is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Katherine Ard and Ronald Nelson.
She is survived by her husband, John Snow, Jr.; her sons, Bruce Alan Barton of Pensacola, FL and Kelly Andrew Barton of Molino, FL; her stepson, John L. (Amy) Snow, III; her brothers, Paul (Theresa) Nelson of Jay, FL and Maurice (Patricia) Nelson, Jr. of Jay, FL; her sisters, Lynda Duke of Knoxville, TN and Marilynn (John) Ghiatis of Walnut Hill, FL; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 12 Noon at Divine Grace Church with Pastor Keith Lisenby officiating. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS, Pensacola, FL.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until service time at 12 Noon at Divine Grace Church, 5191 Highway 21, Atmore, AL 36502.
In lieu of flowers, in honor of Priscilla, donations can be made to Divine Grace Church for the music program.
Betty Lou Chance Anderson
January 9, 2024
Betty Lou Chance Anderson, age 88, was called home on Sunday, January 7th, 2024. Betty was born on May 9th, 1935, in Albertville, Alabama to John and Bernice Phipps.
Betty is reunited with her parents; sisters, Vivian Johnson and Bernice “Bonnie” Shaffer; husband, Robert Thomas Anderson; sons, Johnny Ray Chance, James Calvin Chance; son-in-law, Larry Ronald Davis; and her grandchildren, Jesseca Miller Williams and Anthony Wayne “Little Tony” Mandel Jr.
Betty is survived by her children and grandchildren, Sandra Davis, Ray Chance (Sherri), and Susan Mandel (Tony). She was known to her grandchildren as “Grandma”; Sommer (Dan), Dustin, Randy, Coty (Amber), Tiffany (Phillip), John Houston (Amanda), Crystal (Doyle), and Desere (Kevin). She was so very proud of her great-grandchildren and of being a great-great-grandma.
Betty moved to Pensacola in high school where she graduated from J. M. Tate High in 1955. She married Alton Raymond Chance and built a farm in Barrineau Park, which was awarded Florida Farmer of the Year. She was a devoted “Mama” to her five children. She also nurtured and provided for the needs of so many in the community. Betty was quite the seamstress. She knitted, crocheted, and hand-embroidered homemade gifts that we adore. She passed her skills on to so many. She was a homemaker, Sunday school teacher, 4-H leader, cheer sponsor, and a leader of many things with her children. Mama prided herself in making sure her children experienced and achieved any activity they dreamed of participating in. Most importantly Betty always saw the best in every person she met.
Betty joined family’s with R.T. Anderson and gained children and grandchildren she loved and cherished as her own. They resided in Freeport, Florida for twenty-two years.
Betty loved attending Victory Assembly of God, would speak of it often, and was delighted when her family would join her. Betty will be remembered by many as having a station wagon full of kids, being able to whistle above a crowd cheering for her family, and being blessed with a personality that could light up a room. If we pause for a moment to remember all she has provided for her family and community, we could be still for hours.
We would like to make a special thank you from the family to Vitas Healthcare. All of their help throughout the last year made it possible for her to be home with her daughter Sandra, until her peaceful passing.
Her celebration of Life will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Saturday, January 13th, 2024, officiated by Jeff McKee. Family visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until services begin at 2:00 p.m. Burial to follow at Lathram Chapel UMC Cemetery (2690 Jacks Branch Rd. Cantonment, FL 32533).
Pallbearers will include her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Andre Ash Deslonde
January 9, 2024
Mr. Andre Ash Deslonde, age 78, passed away Friday, January 5, 2024 at a Pensacola hospital.
Andre was born in Century, FL and had been a lifelong resident of the Century/Flomaton area. Prior to his retirement, he was a Journeyman Electrician at Container Corporation. Following his retirement, he served as a Funeral Assistant at Craver’s and Flomaton Funeral Homes. He later worked as a salesman ay Barrow’s Furniture Annex in Flomaton. at He was an avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. He was a people person who loved his community and loved talking to people about his family and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, James D. Deslonde and Elizabeth A. Deslonde. He attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Atmore.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linda Deslonde of Flomaton; a son, Brett (Paula) Deslonde of Perdido Key, FL; a daughter, Andrea (Albert) Mosquera of Huntsville, AL; two brothers, James (Charlene) Deslonde of Brewton, and Mike (Anna) Deslonde of Brewton; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A private service was held on Wednesday morning January 10, 2024, at Flomaton Cemetery with Flomaton Funeral Home directing.
UPDATED LIST: Weather Cancellations, Delays
January 8, 2024
Here is a updated list of closures for Tuesday due to weather. Check back for updates and addiitions.
SCHOOLS/EDUCATION
- Escambia County (FL) Schools and Santa Rosa County Schools will be closed Tuesday. This closure includes all activities and extracurricular activities.
- Escambia County (AL) Schools are closedTuesday for in-person learning. School will be in session virtually.
- Escambia Academy (Canoe, AL) will be closed and all activities are canceled.
- Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center will be closed Tuesday January 9,2024. If you have any questions please contact Misty Lambeth at 850-256-0953.
- The University of West Florida will close at 3 p.m. Monday and reopen at noon Tuesday, Jan. 9. This includes all classes, events, campus activities and online courses. The UWF trolley will suspend operations after its last route at 6 p.m. and resume operations at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
- Pensacola State College will be closed from 4:00 pm Monday until noon , Tuesday, January 9th.
OTHER
- Escambia County Tax Collector offices will open late at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, weather permitting.
- The Town of Century will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
- Other delayed openings: Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, Escambia County Property Appraiser and Escambia County Supervisor of Elections will open at 9 a.m. Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller will open at 9:30 a.m.
- All ECUA residential sanitation, recycling, and yard trash collections, and all commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers that would normally be made on Tuesday, January 9, will be made one day later, on Wednesday, January 10. All subsequent collections this week will also be conducted one day later than normally scheduled.
- Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) will suspend service early Monday, Jan. 8. Customer service will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 8 a.m. Bus service will resume Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 9 a.m.
- Delayed Courthouse Openings: The M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building an the Theodore Bruno Juvenile Justice Center will open at 9:30 a.m. County Arraignments and Traffic will begin at 10:00 a.m. Docket Day will begin at 10:00 a.m. First appearance hearings will begin at 2:00 p.m.
Free Sand For Flood Prep Available In Escambia County
January 8, 2024
Escambia County has free sand available for residents living in flood prone areas.
The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 Highway 4, Bratt
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297A
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School -available on northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are usually available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand as seen at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Schools Closed Tuesday Due To Severe Weather Threat
January 8, 2024
Escambia and Santa Rosa county schools and district offices will be closed on Tuesday due to potential severe weather.
All extra-curricular activities are canceled for the afternoon and evening of Monday, January 8.
School is Escambia County (Alabama) Schools will be on an e-learning day on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service forecasts severe weather moving through the area on Tuesday during the early to mid-morning hours, with the possibility of high winds, heavy rains, and tornadoes. In an abundance of caution, all schools, district offices, and afterschool activities, including indoor and outdoor athletics, have been canceled for Tuesday, January 9, 2024. All extra-curricular activities are canceled for the afternoon and evening of Monday, January 8, 2024.
“We anticipate normal district operations will resume on Wednesday, January 10,” stated Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Of course, we’ll continue to work closely with local emergency operations officials to determine what is safest for our families and staff.”
For more cancellation information, click or tap here.
ECUA Collections Postponed One Day Due To Storms
January 8, 2024
Due to impending inclement weather and predictions for high winds, all residential sanitation, recycling, and yard trash collections, and all commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers that would normally be made on Tuesday, January 9, will be made one day later, on Wednesday, January 10. All subsequent collections this week will also be conducted one day later than normally scheduled. Where possible, we encourage our customers to secure their cans in an enclosed structure (i.e. garage) or to an outside fixed structure after collection is completed.
Enhanced Risk Of Severe Storms, Possible Tornadoes Monday Night Into Tuesday Morning
January 8, 2024
There is an increasing risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe storms and tornadoes late Monday night into Tuesday morning. A slight risk of severe weather is in place across the entire area. We are becoming increasingly concerned about the potential for damaging winds of 70+ mph and tornadoes (a couple of which could be strong EF2+ tornadoes) Monday night into Tuesday morning.
Outside of storms, very strong winds are expected to impact the entire area.
Based on the latest assessment, the greatest risk for tornadoes is from 3am to 9am on Tuesday. Conditions will go downhill quickly during that timeframe where we expect to go from a few storms to widespread severe storms.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could be severe. Temperature rising to around 66 by 3am. Windy, with a southeast wind 30 to 35 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 9am, then a chance of showers between 9am and noon. Some of the storms could be severe. Temperature falling to around 50 by 5pm. Windy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. West wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 53. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. High near 70. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 51.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
M.L.King Day: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.
Secret Deal? Update: Century Responds To Records Request On No-Bid Anonymous Contract To Sell Town-Owned Land
January 8, 2024
This is an update to a story we first brought you on January 3.
The Town of Century says there’s only one written document regarding the mayor’s request to allow him to negotiate an anonymous, no-bid sale of vacant residential land currently owned by the town to a private individual.
“The resident would like to make a no bid offer,” Gomez said, bringing up the item that did not appear in that agenda.
“The reason to put anonymity. It is if the property’s jacked up. It’s just tied up or the boundary lines or not clear. Is he don’t want his name out there,” the mayor said after declining to name the person or the location of the property.
“He don’t want his name out there,” he said again.
NorthEscambia.com submitted a formal public records request for any document in any form regarding the land transaction. Town Clerk Leslie Howington provided one document (below) with the handwritten notes used by Gomez during the council meeting.
In an email, she said it was “the only document responsive to your request”. By doing so, Howington is maintaining that as of last Thursday afternoon, the person’s name, the address of the property or any other information regarding the offer has not appeared in any email or been written down by anyone with the town — those items would be public record under Florida’s Sunshine Law.
“Everything is above board with the attorney involved,” Gomez told the council.
The mayor’s request was approved 4-1 by the council, with Shelisa Abraham voting no.
Florida law allows anonymous negotiations with potential businesses for the purpose of economic development, but there’s no obvious provision to secretly negotiate with individuals for residential property.
NorthEscambia.com file photo and images, click to enlarge.
