Chris Hubert
July 20, 2018
Chris Hubert, a loving devoted father and friend to many, passed away at the young age of 58 on July 17, 2018. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on December 17, 1959 to William Donald Hubert and Doris Louise Webster Hubert. Chris lived most of his life in Columbia, South Carolina but had spent the last 13 years in Cantonment, Florida. He worked at Bigham Construction Company.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Doris.
Chris is survived by his children, William Donald Hubert and Christina Lynnette Hubert Faulkner.
From A Musician To A ‘Moogician’ — Summer Reading Fun At The Library
June 14, 2018
The Summer Reading Program is underway at libraries in Escambia County, including the branch libraries in Century and Molino.
This week, children enjoyed musician Roger Day, who has performed with the Indigo Girls, Nancy Griffith and the Crickets (Buddy Holly’s band).
Next week, the program will feature Todd Charles the “Moogician” as he combines magic, music and milk in a creative comedy for kids. The schedule is:
- Tuesday, June 19, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library – Weather permitting program will be held at Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheater
- Tuesday, June 19, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 20, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 20, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 21, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Fire Causes I-10 Backups
May 23, 2018
A vehicle fire caused major traffic problems on I-10 westbound at Scenic Highway Wednesday afternoon. Several vehicle on an auto-hauler were destroyed in the blaze. The driver managed to detach the truck from the trailer.
As of 6:15 p.m., all lanes westbound were blocked, but the left shoulder was open as one lane.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Deputy Responding To Call Collides With Three Vehicles
April 29, 2018
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy responding to an emergency call was involved in a crash Satuday with three other vehicles.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Deputy Matthew Housam was westbound on Brent Lane in his patrol vehicle with emergency equipment activated when he collided with a Kia Optima occupied by 29-year old Minki Nicole Steen and two children. The crash caused his Tahoe to cross over the center median and collide with a Nissan Sentra occupied by Fnu Michaela and a passenger and and Chevrolet Traverse driven by 37-year old Mary Alice Carruth.
Housam and Steen received minor injuries. No one else involved in the crash was hurt.
Any charges in the crashes are pending the FHP investigation.
File photo.
Byrneville Fifth Graders Spend Saturday At Science Camp
April 29, 2018
Fifth graders from Byrneville Elementary School spent their Saturday morning at school, learning all about science (and enjoying a little pizza).
The Fifth Grade Science Camp has become somewhat of a tradition doing super cool and fun things, all in the name of science. The students learned about forces and frictions, adaptations, competition, physical and chemical changes and science investigation. They even play a review “Clue” game.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Remembrance: Anna Brown
April 29, 2018
Anne Louise Brown was murdered on April 30, 2017, in Molino. Her family released the following on the anniversary of her death.
For more details, click here.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Pierce Joby Moye
April 24, 2018
Mr. Pierce Joby Moye, age 82 of Century, FL, passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at Century Health and Rehabilitation Center in Century, FL.
Mr. Moye was born in Flomaton, AL, and spent his lifetime in the Fannie community in Century. During his working years he worked for Campbell Sand & Gravel as an operator. He was a member of Happy Valley Holiness Church and is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Carolyn Moye; his children, Randy, Joseph, Joann; brothers, Cecil, Houston, Calvin; and sister, Nettie Pearl Robinson.
He is survived by his son, Andy (Donna) Moye of Flomaton, AL; daughters, Patricia (Larry) Johnson of East Brewton, AL; Brenda Petterson of Century, FL, Wanda (Everette) Brown of East Brewton, AL; sisters, Myrtle Stephens of Atmore, AL, Mattie Carden of Flomaton, AL; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 27, 2018, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m. with Bro. Raymond Wiggins and Bro. Tommy Lee Johnson officiating.
Flora Lynn McKenna
April 7, 2018
Flora Lynn (Henderson) McKenna, 73, of Pensacola, passed away on Monday, April 2, 2018, at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital.
Flora Lynn McKenna was born to Robert Luther and Mary Elizabeth Henderson, on July 26, 1944, and grew up in the East Hill neighborhood of Pensacola. She attended public schools; graduated in 1963 from Pensacola High School; and attended Pensacola Jr. College.
Flora brought her sharp, inquisitive mind and caring heart to everything she did. She valued faith, family, community, and patriotism. Flora was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who lovingly raised two beautiful daughters, and delighted in spending time with her two grandchildren. Along with raising a family, Flora enjoyed success as a small business owner for several years.
Survived by her mother, Mary Elizabeth (Aldredge) Henderson; husband, Lawrence McKenna; daughters Kaly McKenna and Lisa McKenna; grandchildren Keith and Akira; many favorite nephews and nieces, beloved cousins, and dear friends. Predeceased by her father, Robert Luther Henderson; brothers Robert (Bobby) Henderson, Aubrey (Buddy) Henderson, and sister Jean (Henderson) Ramirez.
Special thanks to Flora’s caregivers and staff at West Florida Hospital and University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital for their compassionate care.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 9, 2018, at 10:00 AM with a Mass of the Christian Burial at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Pensacola, followed by a gravesite service at Barrancas National Cemetery at 12:00 noon. Family and friends are invited and may call on Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Faith Chapel North, 1000 S. Hwy 29, Cantonment, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Thomas More Society, a not-for-profit, national public interest law firm dedicated to restoring respect for life, family, and religious liberty, and located at 19 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 603, Chicago, IL 60603.
BOCC Approves Emergency Replacement OF Nokomis Road Bridge
February 16, 2018
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission approved the emergency purchase of prefabricated steel bridge to replace the Nokmois Road bridge over Reedy Creek.
Due to structure deficiencies, the state ordered the Nokomis Road Bridge closed in December. The county implemented a short detour on the dirt Albritton and Jakes Roads. Due to the November 8 closure of a bridge on Arthur Brown Road and a November 14 closure of a bridge on Arthur Brown Road, the only detour options were a 31-mile, 30-35 mph average speed detour in Florida, or a lengthy detour into Alabama.
The detour solutions all present hazards to the public, according to county officials.
Since implementing this detour the county has received several calls from area residents who are concerned about meeting and passing truck traffic because of the narrow width of Jakes Road and its steep shoulders making them feel unsafe when pulling to the side when meeting trucks and other vehicles. Rain also causes the dirt road surface to become slippery and unstable. Vehicles, including emergency vehicles, are at risk of becoming stuck when pulling onto these shoulders.
The 31-mile detour would also present obvious delays for drivers and emergency vehicles. Even when the bridge on Arthur Brown Road reopens, the resulting detour would still be 20 miles.
County Engineer Joy Blackmon recommended that the county make the emergency bridge purchase. Quotes and fabrication schedules have been requested from three different bridge manufacturers to determine which 50 x 36 foot bridge will be most feasible and available for replacement.
The first steel permanent replacement bridge in Escambia County recently opened on Arthur Brown Road (there were two bridges closed on Arthur Brown Road). The bridge over Freeman Springs Branch was closed November 8 and bridge replacement work began on December 6 after prep work was completed. The new 24-foot wide steel bridge arrived in three major pieces on January 5. It was installed on January 6 and was open by January 29.
Pictured: Escambia County’s first permanent steel replacement bridge opened in late January on Arthur Brown Road. An emergency purchase of a similar steel bridge has been approved for Nokomis Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tougher Texting While Driving Ban Moves In Florida House
January 10, 2018
With support from the House speaker, a proposal to make texting while driving a “primary” offense in Florida received unanimous support Tuesday from a House panel as the 2018 legislative session opened.
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee approved the measure (HB 33), which would allow law-enforcement officers to stop vehicles when they see motorists texting behind the wheel.
“This will prevent the actual behavior of texting behind the wheel,” said Rep. Emily Slosberg, a Boca Raton Democrat who is co-sponsoring the bill with Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa. “Because right now, it’s completely unenforceable as a secondary offense.”
Currently, motorists can only be charged with texting and driving if they are stopped for other offenses, such as speeding.
The bill, which must still go before two more panels, advanced despite concern by St. Petersburg Democrat Wengay Newton — a committee member who voted for the bill — who said the change from a secondary to primary offense could be used to racially profile African-Americans.
“I know the inference of having the safety.” Newton, who is black, said. “I get it. But at the same time, when you talk about how it affects everybody in the state … there are a lot that look like me that I want to ensure get a fair shake.”
Also, some supporters of the texting-while-driving ban would prefer lawmakers require motorists to be “hands free” from electronic devices. They also contend the House proposal could prevent law enforcement from inspecting electronic devices if drivers simply claim they were using allowed GPS rather than typing messages.
“There’s just too many loopholes in it,” said Demetrius Branca, whose 19-year-old son Anthony Branca was killed by a distracted driver just over three years ago in Tallahassee. “In my mind, distracted driving, the core of it, is no different than drunk driving. You are doing something that you know to be dangerous, and you are endangering everyone around you.”
The House bill would allow motorists to text while in stationary vehicles and would require law-enforcement officers to inform drivers they have a right to decline a search of the wireless devices. The measure also would prohibit officers from confiscating handheld devices without warrants.
The civil liberty protections were important for many lawmakers. Bills in the past to toughen texting-while-driving laws have failed to advance in the Republican-dominated Legislature.
Slosberg said after the meeting she’d prefer a “hands free” requirement and for charges to be criminal, but she said the bill had been negotiated and needs to be viewed as “a step in the right direction.”
“We’re moving the needle,” added Toledo, who noted her stepson bragged that he knew he couldn’t be pulled over for texting while driving unless he was committing a separate offense.
“That’s when I’m thinking we need harsher legislation,” Toledo said. “We need to be clear with our children that you cannot text and drive.”
The proposal got a major boost in December when House Speaker Richard Corcoran announced his support.
The Land O’ Lakes Republican said that as the father of six children, including two teens who have driver licenses, he has become convinced by statistics showing the dangers of texting while driving, particularly for younger drivers.
The state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported nearly 50,000 distracted-driving crashes in 2016 in Florida, including 233 deaths.
Slosberg sought a texting-while-driving ban in the 2017 session and has spent the past several months urging support from local governments. More than 20 counties and nearly 30 cities approved resolutions in support of making texting while driving a primary offense.
For Slosberg, efforts to increase traffic safety are also personal.
On Feb. 23, 1996, Slosberg and her twin sister, Dori, got into a car with friends. The driver, 19, was speeding 90 mph in a 50 mph zone when the car struck a median and crashed into a car heading east. Emily Slosberg survived the crash with a punctured lung and several broken bones. Dori was killed along with four other teenagers.
The bill does not alter existing fines — $30 plus court costs for a first non-moving violation and $60, court costs and three points on a driver’s license on a second offense within five years of the first.
By not changing the fines, the House measure is closer in line with a Senate bill (SB 90) by Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, that will go before the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida