Timothy Dalton Wilson
May 11, 2011
Timothy Dalton Wilson, age 18, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2011.
Timothy was born October 15, 1992 in Pensacola, Florida. He was a 2010 graduate of West Florida High School of Advanced Technology. Timothy liked to call himself “The Captain”. He was the pirate of his own ship. Though, due to the storms, squalls, and hurricanes, his ship is now at rest. Timothy was a very honest, witty and intelligent one, that Timothy Dalton. Full of jokes, music, lyrics and energy drinks. He will be forever loved and forever remembered but never forgotten. Son, there will be a whole in our hearts forever, rest in Gods hands.
Survivors include his parents Timothy L. and Lisa G. Wilson; his sister, Jacqueline Wilson; his grandparents Alfred and Juanita O’Connor and Henry and Bea Frunk along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at CrossFaith Church in Molino with Rev. Fred Stallworth and Rev. Rob Hines officiating. Interment will follow at Bay Springs Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, Cantonment on Wednesday, May 11, 2010, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South, Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Drought Impacts Crops, Backyard Gardens; Raises Brush Fire Danger
May 10, 2011
The lack of rain is more of a problem than just brown, dry lawns in the North Escambia area. It’s issue for farmers and gardeners and is a potential wildfire problem for everyone.
For farmers, it means a delay in planting as they wait for meaningful rainfall, or it means the need to irrigate the dry soil. And for backyard gardeners, it means the need to pull out the hose to keep those young tomato plants and cucumbers alive.
A dry, cold fall and winter coupled with an abnormally dry spring means many of the grassy plants and small shrubs in the area are waiting tinderboxes for a stray spark or inattentive homeowner whose pile of burning leaves and yard debris got away from them as they went inside for a drink.
The peak of Florida’s wildfire season begins in mid-March and runs well into June and signs of an active season are evident and officials with the Florida Division of Forestry’s Blackwater District — which includes the North Escambia area — are urging residents to not only be cautious when burning but be prepared in case of an emergency.
Through the end of April, rangers in the Blackwater District, which includes Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, responded to 121 wildfires that have consumed 1,890 acres. During the same year to date period in 2010, there were 91 fires burning 627 acres.
“We have seen a tremendous increase in the number and size of fires this year compared to years past,” said David Smith, Operations Administrator for Blackwater. “We expect a high level of activity for the foreseeable future. Recent dry conditions have resulted in more active fire behavior and we are concerned the situation is expected to worsen in the near term if we don’t receive substantial rainfall soon.”
The first mention of rain in the North Escambia forecast comes Friday with a 30 percent chance of a shower. Then rain chances increase to 40 percent for Saturday and Sunday.
Pictured top: A field of corn is irrigated recently at Highway 4 and Dortch Road in Bratt. Pictured below: This file photo shows a wildfire raging through a North Escambia wheat field. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Collection For Tornado Victims Continues
May 10, 2011
NorthEscambia.com, Pen Air Federal Credit Union and public schools across North Escambia are continuing a collection to help Alabama tornado victims.
Donations are still be accepted at Northview High, Ernest Ward Middle, Molino Park Elementary, Bratt Elementary and Byrneville Elementary. Students are being asked to bring in items for the tornado victims, while the general public is encouraged to drop off their donations at any of the schools.
Items being collected include non-perishable food, water, personal care items (like deodorant, soap, toothpaste and shampoo), diapers, baby wipes, trash bags, mops and other cleaning supplies, batteries, flashlights, manual can openers and more. Clothing and cash are not being accepted at the schools. Monetary donations can be made at any Pen Air FCU location, including Century and Nine Mile Road.
For more information, email news@northescambia.com.
For information on other local tornado victim drives, click here.
Cornered Burglar Tries To Lure Cops To Fake Burglary (With 911 Call Audio)
May 10, 2011
A Santa Rosa County man called 911 from inside one business that he was burglarizing to report a burglary at a business nearby in attempt to throw off cops that were closing in on him. His creative phone efforts failed.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary at Kiley’s Store in Milton where they found someone had broken in through a boarded up front door. As deputies were working to determine if someone was inside the building, burglar Travis Monroe Laseter called 911 to report that three black males were burglarizing a nearby business.
Laseter abruptly hung up on 911 dispatchers, saying that the burglars were about to see him. Deputies searched both businesses and only found Laseter inside the first business. When 911 dispatchers called the cell phone back, they received Travis Laseter’s voice mail.
Laseter, 35, was charged with burglary and making a false report. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $17,500.
Hospital Sale, Lease Bill Dies; Was Backed By Company Interested In Jay Hospital
May 10, 2011
A bill that would create new barriers to selling or leasing public hospitals in Florida has died. Supporters of the bill included Health Management Associates (HMA) – the company interested in a partnership deal involving Jay Hospital.
After getting stuck in the Senate, a controversial bill that would have required judges to sign off on sales or leases of public hospitals died at the end of the legislative session. House members overwhelmingly approved HB 619, but it did not get out of Senate committees.
Public hospitals and the Florida Hospital Association fought the proposal, which was backed by for-profit hospital companies such as HMA and Tenet Healthcare Corp.
Questions about the future of public hospitals, however, are not done: Gov. Rick Scott in March issued an executive order creating a commission to review taxpayer-funded hospital districts, including sales or leases.
The bill stemmed, at least in part, from disputes such as a failed merger between the publicly owned Bert Fish Medical Center in Volusia County and the private Adventist Health System. That deal died after it was disclosed the Bert Fish board had repeatedly violated the state’s Sunshine Law by holding closed-door discussions.
HMA also sought an agreement with Bert Fish. The bill included criteria for circuit judges to use in deciding whether to approve public-hospital deals, such as whether the terms reflect “fair market value.’’ Supporters said the proposal would help prevent backroom deals.
High School Football Schedules Released
May 10, 2011
Fall football schedules have been released for area high schools, and dates for spring jamboree games have been announced.
For Northview and Jay, it’s the year in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s new Rural Division which includes only smaller rural schools with less than 650 students. The new division was created to level the playing field and prevent the small rural from competing at the state level against urban schools that draw from much larger population.
Last year, the Northview Chiefs advanced to the state semifinals before falling 49-14 to Jacksonville Trinity Christian, a private urban school.
Last season, the Jay Royals finished the season without a win. This year, the Royals have new leadership and new hope in their new division.
For the Tate Aggies, this fall will mean a move into District 1-6A with Escambia, Milton, Pace, Pensacola, Pine Forest and Washington.
Here are the spring games that will be played this month, as well as the Fall 2011 schedule for North Escambia area high schools:
SPRING GAMES
- Northview at West Florida, Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m. (not finalized)
- Washington at Tate, Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m.
- Jay at Rocky Bayou, Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m.
FALL SCHEDULE
NORTHVIEW
(all games at 7 p.m.)
Sept 2 — TBD
Sept 9 — at Marianna
Sept 16 — at Chipley
Sept 23 — South Walton*
Sept 30 — Gulf Breeze
Oct 7 — at Jay*
Oct 14 — OPEN
Oct 21 — Freeport*
Oct 28 — at Vernon
Nov 4 — Baker*
Nov 11 — at West Florida
JAY
(all games at 7 p.m.)
Sept 2 — Rocky Bayou
Sept 9 — Holmes County
Sept 16 — at Sneads
Sept 23 — at Flomaton
Sept 30 — South Walton
Oct 7 — Northview*
Oct 14 — at Cottondale
Oct 21 — at Baker*
Oct 28 — at Graceville
Nov 4 — Freeport*
Nov 11 — OPEN
TATE
Sept 2 — St. Charles (La.) Catholic — 7:30 p.m.
Sept 9 — at Ft. Walton Beach — 7 p.m.
Sept 16 — at West Florida — 7 p.m.
Sept 23 — at Escambia* — 7:30 p.m.
Sept 30 — Pine Forest* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 7 — at Milton* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 14 — Pensacola High — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 21 — Pace* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 28 — Tallahassee Godby — 7:30 p.m.
Nov 4 — at Washington — 7:30 p.m.
Nov 11 — OPEN
WEST FLORIDA
Sept. 2 — Escambia — 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 — at Washington — 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 — Tate — 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 — at P.C. Bay* –7 p.m.
Sept. 30 — at Walton — 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 — at Gulf Breeze* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 14 — OPEN
Oct. 21 — at P.C. Rutherford — 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 — P.C. Arnold* — 7 p.m.
Nov. 4 — at Tallahasse Chiles — 6 p.m.
Nov. 11 — Northview — 7 p.m.
Pictured: Jay’s Allen Perry is tackled by Northview’s Corry Baggett the Chiefs defeated the Royals last fall. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Quintette Road Resurfacing Progresses
May 10, 2011
In less than a month Santa Rosa County has made real progress on a 5.8 mile resurfacing project on Quintette Road, also known as County Road 184, between Chumuckla Highway (C.R. 197) and the Escambia River Bridge. A pavement surface is now in place over the entire length of the project, which began April 11.
The project cost is expected to be $1.2 million with 75 percent funded by the Florida Department of Transportation through a Small County Outreach Program grant. The county will be responsible for the remaining 25 percent, much of which will be met with in-kind services such as labor, equipment and materials for drainage and shoulder work performed by the Santa Rosa County Road and Bridge Department.
Quintette Road runs from Highway 29 in Escambia County to Chumuckla Highway in Santa Rosa County. It is the only roadway across the Escambia River between Highway 4 in Century and Highway 90 in Pensacola.
Pictured above: Work is progressing on a Quintette Road resurfacing project in Santa Rosa County. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New CEO Named For United Way Of Escambia County
May 10, 2011
A former Tate High School teacher has been named the new CEO of the United Way of Escambia County.
Andrea Farage joins United Way of Escambia County as President/CEO after serving as the Executive Director for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida since 2001. While working for Ronald McDonald House, her responsibilities included strategic planning, grant funding, organizational growth, federal regulation compliance, and marketing and public relations management.
Andrea was instrumental in planning and executing the recent $5 million capital campaign that funded last year’s new construction of the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola. Completed in August 2010, the 26-bedroom facility was successfully paid off within seven months of opening.
With a diverse background in community and professional development organizations, she currently serves as a board member for the Downtown Rotary Club and Central Credit Union and is a member of Liberty Sertoma. She has volunteered her time to Grant A Wish, Crimestoppers, LeaP, United Way, Panhandle Bay Area Literacy Coalition and many other organizations.
Andrea is a graduate of Florida State University and began her career as an English teacher at Tate High School. She then worked as the Newspapers in Education Manager for Pensacola News Journal before assuming her role as Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.
How To Help Tornado Victims
May 10, 2011
There are still several ways you can help tornado victims this week in the North Escambia area.
NorthEscambia.com, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, Northview High, Ernest Ward Middle, Molino Park Elementary, Bratt Elementary and Byrneville Elementary have joined together to collect relief items. Click here for more information.
Dry Spring Community Church will accept donations at the Davisville Community Center May 10, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and May 11, 8 a.m.-noon. Non-perishable food items, yard tools, paper products, batteries, baby diapers and wipes, first aid supplies, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items and blankets will be collected for the First Baptist Church of Amory, Miss. More info? (850) 712-6588 or (850) 982-8878.
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino is collecting cleaning supplies (liquid cleaners, bleach, mops, spray bottles, buckets, sponges, etc.); personal hygiene items (hand and shower soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, wash cloths, nail clippers, etc.); baby and adult diapers; and gift cards to Dollar General and WalMart. Items can be dropped off a the church on Highway 29 just north of Highway 97. They are not collecting food, bottle water or clothing.
C & C Hauling Company, 2222 Hwy. 95A North, Cantonment is accepting donations of diapers, wipes, water , Gatorade, canned food items, paper towels, toilet paper , carryout plates, plastic eating utensils, laundry detergent , all sizes kids and adults socks and underwear (new in package) , and boxes for collecting personal items. Hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church, North Highway 99 in Bratt, will be collecting items for the tornado victims in northwest Alabama. The items needed are: toiletry and hygiene products, baby items (clothes, diapers, formula,etc), undergarments (new, in the package, all sizes), pet food, flashlights and batteries, and nonperishable foods. All items can be delivered to the church parsonage, located next to the church. The pastor and church members will load the items on May 28 and transport them to Northport, Ala. Call the pastor at (850) 327-6441 for more information.
Other ways you can help include:
- The American Red Cross is providing relief to people across the hardest-hit states including Alabama. To make a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, visit its online donation page. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
- The Salvation Army is setting up mobile feed stations to feed thousands in the storm areas. Give online at salvationarmy.com, text “GIVE” to 80888 or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
- Alabama Gov. Robert Bently has setup a website that provides donation information through his office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
Century Care Residents Celebrate With Black Tie Ball (With Gallery)
May 10, 2011
Residents at Century Care Center enjoyed their Second Annual Black Tie Ball Friday with good music, great food and good times with friends.
Dressed in formal attire, the residents were escorted into a ballroom setting where they were served by administration, including Administrator Don Ripley, nursing staff including Director of Nursing Doris Jackson and the physical therapy department.
Organizers said every department at the facility contributed to make the event possible.
Pictured top: Century Care Center residents Rita and Larry Irwin of Bratt enjoy the facility’s Black Tie Ball Friday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.