Dorothy Jean “Dot” Blanchett
May 14, 2011
Dorothy Jean “Dot” Blanchett, age 74, of Cantonment, passed away Friday, May 13, 2011.
Dot was born in McCormick, South Carolina, and was a member of Victory Assembly. She loved to bowl, work in her flower garden and crochet. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Wayne Blanchett; daughters, Deby Slack and her husband Ben; Jennifer Jackson and Mark, grandchildren; Wayne Slack and his wife Carla, Carlie Severin, Derek Slack and Abbie Huff, one great grandchild; Cade Severin; and a sister; Glenda Briley.
Preceding her in death was her daughter, Joyce LaWayne Blanchett; great grandson, Aiden Riley Henry; her parents, Eugene and Thelma Brown; and her sister, Nina Wilson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, May 16, 2011,at Victory Assembly with Pastor Jeff McKee and Rev. Lee Tate officiating. Interment will follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday, May 15, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the caring staff of Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Facility and also to the loving church family of Victory Assembly.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Today: Event To Purchase Saddles For Special Needs Children
May 14, 2011
A “Saddles for Cerebral Palsy Benefit” will be held Saturday in Davisville to help purchase special horse saddles for children with cerebral palsy and other special needs.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday at the Davisville Community Center on Highway 97, sponsored by Caraway Horseshoeing, H&C Ponies and Ashcraft Horse Training.
There will be pony rides, horse training by Jimbo Ashcraft using the Noavel Headstall (call for an appointment), face painting and a bake sale.
For more information, contact Ryan Caraway at farrier68roc@yahoo.com or call (850) 327-6631 or (251) 422-6019. Volunteers are also needed to assist at the event.
No Injuries In Hwy 97 Wreck
May 13, 2011
There were no injuries in a single vehicle rollover accident this afternoon on Highway 97 just south of Meadows Road in Davisville Friday afternoon.
The driver of a Chevrolet Suburban lost control while southbound on Highway 97 and rolled over into home’s yard about 4 p.m.. He refused medical treatment at the scene.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash.
There were no injuries in this single vehicle accident on Highway 97 south of the state line in Davisville Friday afternoon. Northescambia.com photo. Click to enlarge.
Dust Storm Before The Rain; Drivers Blinded, Power Lines, Trees Downed
May 13, 2011
A dust storm of sorts struck in portions of North Escambia Friday afternoon as strong southerly winds picked up large amounts of dust from newly plowed fields. The strong winds before approaching rain also downed power lines and trees.
In Walnut Hill, the winds created thick dust clouds the cut visibility on Highway 97 to near zero around fields for a short period.
The strong winds also downed trees and power lines in the 100 block of Byrneville Road, near Highway 29. The roadway was blocked by a downed tree about 2:35 p.m. and was cleared by about 4 p.m.
A tree was also reported down (photo below) across Highway 31 just west of Flomaton.
Pictured above: This photo shows a large dust devil spinning through a Walnut Hill field. Pictured below: This photo (courtesy Katie Fowler) shows a tree downed on Highway 31 near Old Atmore Road west of Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Pedestrian Pushing Wheelchair Dies
May 13, 2011
A pedestrian pushing another man in wheelchair died after an early Friday morning accident near Walmart in Pensacola.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 50-year old McNoel Davis was pushing another person in a wheelchair across Highway 29 just north of Hood Drive. About 12:24 a.m., a 1993 Oldsmobile driven by 54-year old Arthur Merle Eliason struck the McNoel. McNoel was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition where he later died.
The occupant of the wheelchair, Edward Robinson, 51, of Pensacola was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol originally stated in a news release that McNoel was from Cantonment; however, an update stated that the man was from Pensacola.
Man Guilty In DUI Manslaughter Of Cantonment Motorcyclist
May 13, 2011
A Pace man has been found guilty in the death a Cantonment motorcyclist last year and now faces up to 45 years in state prison.
Ronnie Lamar Henley was found guilty of DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash involving death and possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis by a Santa Rosa County Jury.
On April 5, 2010, Henley was driving on Highway 90 in Pace with a blood alcohol level of .24 when he abruptly turned in front of a motorcycle driven by Matthew Christopher Harrison, 29, of Cantonment.
Henley struck and killed Harrison before fleeing the scene. Two witnesses, including an off-duty Santa Rosa County deputy, followed Henley until he was apprehended by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Henley will be sentenced by Judge David Rimmer on June 14.
Cantonment Man Killed When His Truck Crashes Into Escambia Bay
May 13, 2011
A Cantonment man was killed when a pickup truck crashed into Escambia Bay Thursday night in Santa Rosa County.
Rodney W. Faircloth, 25, was pronounced dead following the crash at about 8:15 p.m. at the Highway 90 bridge over the Escambia River. The Florida Highway Patrol said Faircloth was westbound on Highway 90 in a 1994 Ford pickup. when he ran into the median and partial into the eastbound side of the roadway. He attempted to correct the vehicle and traveled westbound in the median before striking a guardrail and overturning into the bay.
The vehicle was completely submerged when first responders from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties arrived on scene. Emergency crews searched for hours for any other victims, using a helicopter, numerous boats and a dive team. No other victims were found; Faircloth is believed to have been alone in the vehicle.
Pictured above and below: A 25-year old Cantonment died in this crash on Highway 90 Thursday night when his vehicle plunged into Escambia Bay. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Overnight House Fire Under Investigation
May 13, 2011
An overnight fire that destroyed a Cantonment home is under investigation.
Fire ripped though the home at 1500 Britt Road just west of County Road 97 about 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Firefighters were called back to the home about 7:30 Friday morning to extinguish a few spots that had rekindled.
The home was reported to be abandoned; there were no injuries reported.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley, Ferry Pass and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire.
Pictured top: Firefighters returned to this home on Britt Road in Cantonment to extinguish a few hot spots that had rekindled after the overnight blaze. Pictured below: An investigator with the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office watches as firefighters sift through the debris. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Florida Senator Views Osama Photos; ‘No Doubt’ He’s Dead
May 13, 2011
Florida U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says that he has viewed the classified photos of Osama bin Laden and there’s no doubt that he’s dead.
While supporting the decision to keep the photos of bin Laden’s body classified for now, Nelson called for them eventually to be released to the public.
As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Nelson, a Democrat, was one of the members of Congress shown the photos at the Central Intelligence Agency.
“There is no doubt in my mind – nor should there be in anyone else’s – that we got the terrorist who orchestrated the insane and murderous acts that took place on September 11, 2001,” Nelson said. “I’ve said already that I agree with President Obama’s decision not to release these pictures right now. Satisfying skeptics and conspiracy theorists isn’t worth inflaming radicals or putting our troops in even more danger. Still, I personally believe the free flow of information is tantamount to our democracy. Thus, these pictures should eventually be made part of the public record.”
Updated Forecast
May 13, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Patchy dense fog through the night. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly sunny. Isolatedshowers and thunderstorms in the morning. Highs in the mid 80s. West winds 5 to 10 mph becoming 10 to 15 mph in theafternoon. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 78. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 55.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
- Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 58.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 86.