God, Laughter And A Little Meanness: Local Couple Celebrates 77th Anniversary
November 15, 2020
Travis and Dorothy Baggett of Atmore recently celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary.
MawMaw, as she is called by her children and great-grandchildren, said it has been a long time — even a lifetime for some perhaps.
From Castleberry, Alabama, Travis is a direct descendant of Jesse Baggett, the original founder of Castleberry. He has outlived all 11 of his siblings. At 19, he met Dorothy Fussell of Evergreen, who had just turned 17 that summer.
“I had just served in World War II as a Navy fireman, and I had made it home. Between her looks and her cooking, she had me,” Travis (PawPaw) admitted. The couple married later that year after only two dates.
“Back then there wasn’t any of this going out on a date too much,” MawMaw said. “If you enjoyed somebody’s company, you just held on to that, and obviously, I guess we have just held on to each other. I wouldn’t know how to be single if I had to.”
The 90-lb. great- grandmother is known throughout the community for baking coconut cakes and pecan pies. “Cooking is my therapy. It’s all I know.”
PawPaw doesn’t complain.
“In all of our 77 years together, he has never eaten leftovers,” she added. MawMaw is getting ready to host the family Thanksgiving with her mouth-watering turkey and dressing — all made from scratch. Her family certainly agrees that she has the touch when it comes to the kitchen.
She has six brothers and six sisters. All are deceased except one, Sarah, who also married a Baggett.
“Travis and I have been through a lot of things,” MawMaw often reminds her grandchildren. “Some of them have been wonderful, and a lot have been so sad that you wonder what God is up to.”
Her family knows that she is referring to the loss of their oldest son, Steve, who was home from the Marines when his death occurred almost 50 years ago.
Travis, a retired Alabama Department of Corrections officer, credits Dorothy’s cooking for keeping him around this long.
“I look back now and know that she has worked hard, raising our boys and me too, always having every little thing done. I had the easy job compared to her at home.”
The couple also says that God, laughter and “a little meanness” is the reason they have had a long-lasting marriage. “Sometimes I have wanted to give up, but family is too important. I believe in commitment. I believe in staying the course,” MawMaw said with a smile.
The Baggetts can’t really get out and go as they once did. After all, PawPaw gave up his driver’s license when he turned 94, but he can still enjoy a good-natured joke and a nice hot meal any day — as long as MawMaw is right there with him and it’s her cookin’ he is eating, especially ham hock and rice.
The Baggetts have four sons: Steve (deceased); Donnie; Ronnie (Margaret); and Garry (Vicki). Their grandchildren are Steven, Krystal, Alex (Kaylee), Melissa, Corry and Lexxi. They also have five great-grandchildren.
This Week’s Traffic Alert – These Are The Spots To Expect Delays
November 15, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no lane closures on state roads from 7 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29. These lane closure restrictions include both construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is closed for repairs.
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures the week of Sunday, Nov. 15:
o Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage, median and pavement operations.
- · West Fairfield Drive (State Road (S.R.) 295) Turn Lane Construction for Family Dollar – The inside eastbound lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 through Thursday, Nov. 19 for turn lane construction.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures as crews continue construction activities. Eastbound traffic can also expect daytime, right turn lane closures.
- · Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road (S.R. 99) to Pine Forest (S.R. 297) – Drivers can expect a new temporary traffic pattern on the I-10 westbound off-ramp (Exit 5) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17. The exit lanes will be shifted to the outside of the roadway allowing crews to install a new traffic signal at this location.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures as crews continue construction activities. Eastbound traffic can also expect daytime, right turn lane closures.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. as construction activities continue.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is closed for repairs.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
- I-10 Emergency Improvements at Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/ Exit 22)- Sunday, Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 20, motorists will encounter nighttime shoulder and lane closures as crews construct improvements for accommodating additional traffic due to the closure of Pensacola Bay Bridge. Alternating and intermittent lane restrictions will take place on Avalon Boulevard at the I-10 intersection from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. as crews perform widening and turn lane extensions.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Lottery Relaxes Some COVID-19 Claim Restrictions
November 15, 2020
Florida Lottery players with prizes valued at $600 or greater can schedule appointments to file claims at Florida Lottery Headquarters and district offices. P
Previously, the threshold was set at $5,000 or greater due to COVID-19.
Appointment availability is also expanding; claim appointments will now be offered Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., EST (Pensacola’s hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., CST). The first hour of each day will remain reserved for players 65 and older and those with serious underlying medical conditions.
In following local county and/or city ordinances, players must wear a face covering and submit to a mandatory health screening in accordance with DOH and CDC guidelines prior to entering a lottery office. In an effort to limit the number of people in an office at one time, players are also asked to attend their claim appointment by themselves unless they require the assistance of another person for medical reasons.
Secured drop boxes are also available inside each lottery district office for players to drop off winning tickets along with a completed winner claim form and a copy of an acceptable form of identification. The drop boxes are accessible Monday – Friday during specified drop box hours; no appointment is needed.
For more information on the documentation needed to claim a prize, visit www.flalottery.com/howToClaim.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed By Two Vehicles On Highway 29 At West Roberts
November 14, 2020
A 29-year old Pensacola man was killed when he was struck by two vehicles Friday night on Highway 29 at West Roberts Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said both vehicles were northbound on Highway 29 in the outside lane as the pedestrian was walking from the shoulder into the roadway at 6:36 p.m. Troopers said he walked into the path of a SUV driven by a 50-year old Brewton man. The pedestrian was then hit by a box truck driven by a 23-year old Cantonment man.
The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS. The two drivers were not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview Gets Exciting 32-12 Playoff Win Over Chipley (With Photo Gallery)
November 14, 2020
The Northview Chiefs beat the Chipley Tigers 32-12 Friday night in the 1A regional quarterfinals.
Just two weeks ago, Northview handily beat Chipley 45-13.
After scoreless first quarter Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt, sophomore Kaden Odom scrambled on a quarterback keeper for a touchdown to put the Chiefs on the scoreboard first at 7-0 with 9:55 remaining in the second.
After a Chipley score, senior standout Jayden Jackson stepped in as QB and scored from 67-yards out to put Northview back on top 13-6.
With 1:07 to go in the half, the Chiefs snapped to Jackson again, and he was in from six yards out to make it 19-6. Jackson added another touchdown with 6:12 to go in the third, 26-6.
First year Northview High School head coach Wes Summerford stepped up to his team after the game and opened with “I’m excited”.
“I’m excited about the way they responded in the second half, you know had a little slower start which was kind of unusual as a late, but I loved the way they responded,” Summerford told NorthEscambia.com after the win. “I’m excited for these guys. I preached all week about the playoffs. I said you stick together, and you play together anything can happen.”
The Chiefs (7-1) will host the Vernon Yellowjackets (5-1) next Friday night at 7:30 in the regional semifinals. Summerford said he believes his team is ready, with just a little fine tuning needed to prepare.
“I think that we have a good defensive game and our offense has been rolling is it,” Summerford said. “We are just gonna touch up on the little things. We are always going to do what we do, but we’re gonna touch up on the fundamentals.”
The Northview Chiefs are in a unique position if they roll on with the wins. They will play the next three playoff games at home before the state championship game on December 12 in Tallahassee.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Tate Drops Round One Playoff Game To Fleming Island
November 14, 2020
The Tates Aggies dropped Friday night’s round one 7A playoff game on the road at Fleming Island.
The Aggies were 1-5 headed into Friday night’s contest against the 6-2 Fleming Island Golden Eagles..
NorthEscambia.com file photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Garcon Point Toll Suspended Another 30 Days As Pensacola Bay Bridge Repairs Continue
November 14, 2020
The toll on the Garcon Point Bridge has been extended another 30 days until Sunday, December 13.
The extension allows the Garcon Point Bridge to continue serving as a temporary detour route while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired from damage sustained during Hurricane Sally.
Meanwhile, repairs are continuing on the Pensacola Bay Bridge, which was damaged by barges belonging to bridge contractor Skanska during Hurricane Sally.
Three bridge contractors mobilized by FDOT are working around the clock, focusing their efforts at the outermost spans of the bridge to facilitate construction and minimize impacts to the existing structure. To date, more than 300 additional workers have been brought in to increase resources for demolition and reconstruction, salvage and pile operations, and concrete fabrication.
FDOT has approved multiple construction design plans and is reviewing additional design plans for the permanent repairs that address the reconstruction of spans for the bridge and reestablishment of four lanes of traffic on the bridge at the same condition as expected for new construction. The fabrication of multiple concrete piles, piers, and beams continues in preparation for reconstruction. The inventory of concrete piles and beams continues to increase with production coming from the Pensacola precast yard and a facility in Tampa.
Escambia Academy Headed to AISA Class 2A Championship After Win Over Macon East
November 14, 2020
The Escambia Academy Cougars area headed to the AISA Class 2A championship game after a 54-13 win over the Macon East Cougars Friday night in Canoe.
It will be the fifth consecutive state championship game for the Cougars (9-1).
The Knights jumped out to any early 7-0 lead, but the Cougars answered on the next play from scrimmage with a 66-yard touchdown run from Landon Sims.
Tyler Ray-Cloud forced a fumble, and it was picked up by Caleb Davis for a 74-yard touchdown to put the Cougars on top 13-7. With a 39-yard TD run from Bubba Nettles, the Cougars expanded their advantage to 21-7 on their way to the win.
The Cougars will take one Chambers in the state championship game at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.
Photos by Andrew Garner/The Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night High School Football Playoff Scores
November 14, 2020
Here are high school football playoff scores from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
1A
- Northview 32, Chipley 12 [Story, photos...]
- Baker 35 , Jay 0
- Freeport 44, Holmes County 22
3A
- Pensacola Catholic def. P.K. Younge (PKY forfeits due to COVID-19)
5A
- West Florida 34, Pensacola High 7
- Wakulla at Pine Forest, 7 p.m.
6A
- Pace 24, Washington 20
- Escambia 44, Middleburg 0
- Seabreeze 21, Gulf Breeze 20
7A
- Fleming Island 21, Tate 0 [Story, photos...]
- Niceville 56, Crestview 20
- Navarre – bye
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 54, Macon East 13 [Story, photos...]
- Thomasville 28, T.R. Miller 21
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Grand Jury Indicts Two On First Degree Murder Charges For Klondike Road Shooting
November 13, 2020
An Escambia County grand jury has indicted two men for the October 3 murder of a man outside his Klondike Road home.
Kentavius Oliver, 30, and Samuel Maurice Young, 26, were both indicted for the first degree murder of Kevin Swan. Both remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond Friday morning.
Shortly after the shooting, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said two black males wearing ski masks shot a man at an apartment at the corner of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road about 1:30 p.m. before fleeing.
Pictured below: The scene of a murder Saturday afternoon at Mobile Highway and Klondike Road in Escambia County. Photos courtesy Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
