Willie Lucille Robbins
July 18, 2024
Willie Lucille Robbins, age 89, of Bratt, FL, went to be with the Lord on July 18, 2024. She was born to Willie Wayne and Ruby Hall. Lucille was a graduate of Ernest Ward High School in 1953. She was a devoted wife to her husband Alton and a loving mother to her son Matt. Furthermore, she was a beloved grandmother and great-grandmother.
Lucille had the heart of a traveler. Even from a young age, she loved to explore new places, creating memories that would last her a lifetime. One place in particular that she explored frequently, was the Smoky Mountains. Enjoying the mountains with her friends and family, was no doubt an activity she cherished.
Lucille was a simple woman who found comfort and joy in the morning coffee and talks she shared with her sister-in-law, Glennie Robbins. She was also an advent storyteller and had the most interesting stories that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren prided themselves in hearing. Moreover, she was able to make a signature gumbo that was swoon-worthy.
Mrs. Robbins was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, James Alton Robbins.
Mrs. Robbins is survived by her son Matt (Margo) Robbins of Bratt, FL; two grandchildren, Harmony (Mike) Ramsey of Grand Bay, Al, and Sheldon (Kelly) Robbins of Bratt, FL; four great-grandchildren, Logan Bell, and Mackenzie Bell, Madison Robbins, and Maddox Robbins, plus a host of other beloved relatives.
Lucille was an incredible woman, a woman with drive, and a woman with kindness. While her death is and will be mourned, her family knows that she is now with the Lord, her parents, and her husband, comfortably watching over them. She will be missed dearly.
The family would also like to thank Linda Nelson Lee, Lucille’s cousin, for all her support and help during these past few months.
Graveside and burial service will be held Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at Godwin Cemetery with Rev. Ronald Hall officiating.
Visitation and viewing will be held at Petty Funeral Home in Atmore, AL on July 21th at 1-2 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Michael Ramsey, Logan Bell, Greg Robbins, Barney Cash, Aaron Hall, and Aaron Killam.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Barbara Ann Mathis Thomas
July 18, 2024
Our momma, Barbara Ann Mathis Thomas, 71, passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2024, surrounded by her family, after a two-year battle with cancer.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Robert Thomas; her parents, D. Earnest and Blanche Mathis; her brothers, Joe and David Mathis; her daughter, Tiffany Johnson; her grandson, Noah Johns; and her nephew, Joe-Joe Mathis.
Barbara is survived by her children, Patricia “Tinker” (Pete), Earnest (Jennifer), Kimberly (Tim), Tara (James), Robert (Collyn), Nathan (Crystal), Joanna, Mechelle, Robin, and Johnna (Joe); her sister and best friend, Katie Mathis; her nieces, Janet and Karen; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Our family would like to express our sincerest gratitude to her Oncologist, Dr. Brown, and his amazing team and her hospice team. We appreciate everything you did for our momma.
Scooter done Scooted her last Scoot!
A Graveside Funeral Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Clear Springs Cemetery, Robertsdale, Alabama.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements
Man Gets 50 Years In Prison For 2022 Murder At Cantonment Gas Station
July 17, 2024
An Escambia County man convicted in a 2022 shooting death at a Cantonment convenience store has been sentenced to five decades in state prison.
Charles Tyree Moore was convicted by an Escambia County jury of second-degree murder for the shooting death of 35-year-old Durrell Dupree Palmer at the Circle K on Highway 29 at West Roberts Road in May 2022 in an argument over the victim’s wife. Circuit Court Judge John Simon sentenced Moore on Tuesday to 50 years in prison.
The homicide occurred at the Circle K convenience store located at the corner of Highway 29 and West Roberts Road in Cantonment at 7:30 am on Monday, May 23, 2022. At the time of the murder, the two men were engaged in a heated conversation over an argument that had begun on social media.
Video of the encounter was captured by the store’s surveillance cameras. The video showed Palmer stop at the gas pump to initiate contact with Moore, and then, after more than five minutes of intense discussion, Moore suddenly pulled a handgun from his waistband and shot Palmer four times in the torso at close range.
The shooting was witnessed by several customers.
Moore then fled the scene in his vehicle before calling 911 to turn himself in.
Deputies took him into custody within minutes on Palafox Street at Nine Mile Road (pictured below).
During the 911 call, Moore claimed he blacked out and didn’t know what happened. Investigation revealed that at the time of the shooting Palmer had a pistol located in the center console of his vehicle but that his firearm was not involved in the exchange between the two men.
Moore testified and claimed self-defense at his trial, but the jury found him guilty as charged. He will be sentenced on July 11.
Moore had no criminal history and held a concealed weapons permit.
Pictured above and below: A man was shot and killed at the Circle K at the corner of Highway 29 and West Roberts Road about 7:30 Monday morning. Pictured first below: More was taken into custody minutes later on Palafox Street at Nine Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Checking Trailer Tire Struck By Car In Two Vehicle Crash Near Century
July 17, 2024
A 78-year old local man was seriously injured when he was struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning near Century.
The man, who was driving a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup pulling an empty trailer, pulled over with the vehicle partially in the roadway to check a tire about 6:55 a.m. on on West Highway 4 just east of Lake Stone, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
A Dodge Charger driven by a 63-year old Century woman stopped in the roadway about five feet from the truck and trailer according to FHP. A 16-year old Century boy driving a red vehicle “failed to react in time” and collided with the Dodge Charger, troopers said. The Charger was pushed onto the shoulder where it struck the pedestrian.
The pedestrian was transported by Escambia County EMS to the McDavid Fire Station and then airlifted by Aircare helicopter to a Pensacola hospital. An update on his condition was not available.
The other drivers were not injured.
FHP is continuing their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Funding $240 Million Beulah I-10 Interchange
July 17, 2024
The state will fund nearly a quarter of a billion dollar interchange at I-10 and Highway 99 in Beulah.
Known as the Beulah Interchange, the project will cost an estimate $240 million to alleviate traffic problems and accommodate growth in the Beulah area and Navy Federal Credit Union.
State Senator Doug Broxson confirmed Tuesday that funding has been shifted to the project from state and federal grants in central and south Florida. A formal announced is expected in a few days.
Construction is expected to begin in mid-2025.
The $240 Million Appropriation from the state to fully fund the construction of the Beulah Interchange beginning next year will be an amazing and transformational project for Beulah, District 1, and Escambia County,” District 1 Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh told NorthEscambia.com ” We certainly could not have done it without the steady leadership of Senator Doug Broxson, combined with sustained persistence by the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization as we on that committee kept this project as our number one priority. Thank you to our legislature, the governor, and the folks at FDOT for getting this necessary project funded for Escambia County.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Failed Urban Development Century YouthFirst Program Finally Repays Unsecured Loan From Century
July 17, 2024
(Updated) The Urban Development Center (UDC) has finally paid off what started as an unsecured $61,925 loan for the YouthFirst Century program that suffered a complete funding cut by the Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT).
Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. said Tuesday that UDC and CEO Dr. Jessica Griffen recently made a final $10,925 payment.
“She is done and complete with the grant, the loan upfront money that we as a town rendered to her,” Gomez said. “I would like to commend Dr. Griffen and the urban league for fulfilling their obligation.”
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center 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.
The Town of Century fronted an unsecured $61,925 loan to UDC to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The loan was to be repaid by December 31, 2023, but the town council previously approved an extension to March 31, 2024.
Griffen then requested another extension to pay until May 31, 2024, “citing continual slow financial receivables for delay”. In June, the Century Town Council unanimously extended the payment due date to July 8 after a $11,000 payment.
Pictured inset: A copy of an $0,925 loan payment from The Urban Development Center. The account numbers were redacted by NorthEscambia.com. Pictured: The Urban Development Center’s Dr. Jessica Griffen introduces YouthFirst Century to a group at the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century in February 2023. NorthEscambia.com file photo. click to enlarge .
Heat Advisory Again For Wednesday, Afternoon Showers
July 17, 2024
A heat advisory is in effect again for Wednesday, with the feels like temperature approaching 110 degrees. There is an increasing chance of relief from rain later in the week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 1pm and 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 110. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1pm and 4pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. High near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 87. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Escambia Public School Hosting Job Fair On July 29
July 17, 2024
The Escambia County Public Schools Human Resource Services Department will host a job fair on Monday, July 29, at the J.E. Hall Center.
ECPS is looking to fill vacancies in all educational support departments, including food services, custodial services, maintenance, transportation, and substitute teachers.
Interviews will be held on the spot.
“We are excited to offer an additional in-person job fair to hire educational support staff in all areas,” said Director of Personnel Services Courtney Combs. “It is so impactful to be able to have our areas fully staffed and ready to greet our children for the new school year. ”
The Job Fair will take place from 9-11 a.m. in Room 160 at the J.E. Hall Center, located at 30 East Texar Drive in Pensacola.
Woman Arrested In Kentucky For Fatal 2023 Escambia County Hit And Run
July 17, 2024
An Escambia County woman was arrested in Kentucky Tuesday afternoon for a 2023 hit and run crash on Sorrento Road that killed a 61-year old Navy veteran.
Jessica Elizabeth Hendrickson, age 41 of Pensacola, was arrested during a traffic stop in Kentucky.
“While traveling southbound on US 41 in Kentucky, a tag alert was issued to law enforcement in the area matching the description of Hendrickson’s boyfriend’s vehicle (she is known to frequent use or be in). Local law enforcement were in the general area and were able to conduct a traffic stop and ultimately arrest Hendrickson,” Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Jason King said.
On June 10, 2023, Hendrickson was the driver of the vehicle which struck the 61-year-old cyclist from the rear on Sorrento Road, propelling both the bicycle and rider to the south shoulder. Hendrickson then fled the scene, according to FHP.
Family has identified the victim as retired Navy Master Chief Jeff Nichols, 61.
FHP has not specified the exact charged Henrickson will face once she is extradited back to Florida.
Pictured: Jessica Elizabeth Hendrickson pictured in a September 2020 mugshot from Escambia County after a misdemeanor arrest.
‘Operation Southern Slow Down; Targets Speeding In Five States
July 17, 2024
Law enforcement agencies in Florida and four other states have teamed up for Operation Southern Slow Down 2024, a week-long speed enforcement and education campaign that began Monday.
The broad effort involving multiple states in the Southeast—Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee—has a collective goal to reduce the number of speed-related crashes and, ultimately, bring the number of traffic fatalities down to zero.
The Florida Highway Patrol said speeding is a significant factor in traffic fatalities across Florida, contributing to nearly 10% of these fatalities statewide between 2019 and 2023. Demographic data reveals that young male drivers are particularly at risk, with 84% of speeding-involved fatalities involving male drivers, predominantly those aged 16-25. FHP said the statistics underscore the critical need for targeted enforcement and education campaigns like Operation Southern Slow Down to address dangerous driver behaviors like speeding and the tragic consequences they have on roadways.
“Operation Southern Slowdown is a focused, collaborative effort to enforce traffic laws and educate drivers on driving behaviors that lead to fatal crashes, striving to one day experience zero fatalities on our roadways,” said FHP Colonel Gary Howze II. “FHP is proud to work with our law enforcement and public safety partners across state lines to provide a safer driving environment for everyone.”
Pictured: A Florida Highway Patrol trooper stops a motorist on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.