Frances Chesteen Grimes
May 7, 2011
Frances Chesteen Grimes, 85, of Walnut Hill died Saturday May 07, 2011, in Pensacola. She was a retired bus driver with the Escambia County (Fla.) School District.
She was born in New Orleans on October 20, 1925, to the late Marion White and Roberta Eunice Dotson Merritt.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Grimes and a brother, James Merritt.
She is survived by three sons, Kenneth Tyson of Bay Minette, James Tyson of Harriett Bluff, GA, and Robert “Skeeter” Tyson of Killen, AL: two daughters, Frances Tyson Vaughn of Seguin, TX, Dottie Ann Davis of Walnut Hill; 14 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday May 9, 2011, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore with Bro. Ted Bridges and Bro. James Boyd officiating. Interment will follow in the Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Christopher Tyson, Clinton Davis, Byron Vaughn, John K, Vaughn, Thomas “Ty” Tyson and Lee Minor Tyson.
Family will receive friends Sunday evening May 8, 2011, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
National Flight Academy Launched Aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station
May 7, 2011
In the tradition of the U.S. Navy, as bottles of American sparkling wine were smashed across a symbolic “bow” of the land-based training ship, Ambition (CVT-11), the National Flight Academy (NFA) was christened Friday at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Supported by a $2 million donation from Northrop Grumman Corporation, the NFA is the newest learning center in the United States to support advancing America’s next generation of students interested in science, technology, engineering and math careers.
With local dignitaries and Navy leadership in attendance, Apollo 17 Astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Gene Cernan, presented a stirring keynote address, calling on America’s children to experience this academy to help them reach for the stars. Cernan was joined by Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, who is also a member of the academy’s board of advisors. Apollo 13 Commander and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Jim Lovell is also on the board.
Located adjacent to the existing National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, the NFA is a 102,000 square foot four-story structure designed to be fully immersive and interactive. The facility will host 246 middle and high school students at a time, who can attend a five-day or two-day in-residence program, participating in a realistic and intensive training course that combines classroom fundamentals with hands-on experiences. In this unique high-tech adventure, students join a squadron and engage in missions, based on real-world experiences. The NFA will accept students beginning summer 2012.
“The NFA’s adventure begins with a land-based, simulated training aircraft carrier, Ambition (CVT-11). Each deck of Ambition is designed to realistically simulate a modern aircraft carrier,” said retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Gerald Hoewing, president and chief executive officer of the National Flight Academy Foundation. “The first deck houses the galley, mess deck, administrative spaces and the main simulator bays. The second deck is dedicated to academic spaces and contains all of the Simulation and Immersion Center spaces. The third and fourth decks house berthing, student aviator lounges and activity rooms.”
“Too many years have passed for me to still be the last man to have left his footprints on the moon. I believe with all my heart that somewhere out there is a boy or girl with indomitable will and courage who will lift that dubious distinction from my shoulders and take us back where we belong,” said Cernan. “We need to allow children to reach for the stars and the National Flight Academy will help them do that.”
All this week, Pensacola has celebrated its aviation week heritage with a special tribute to the Centennial of Naval Aviation which is now underway.
Pictured top: The symbolic bow of the National Flight Academy is christened Friday aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station. Pictured inset: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Sector Vice President Jim Zortman joins Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong and American Journalist and media host David Hartman at the christening of the National Flight Academy. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Saturday: Bye Bye Birdie, Century Sawmill Day, Mayfest, More
May 6, 2011
The are several big events in the North Escambia area this weekend. Here’s a sampling of some of the great things to do:
Bye Bye Birdie
Northview High School’s senior class will present “Bye Bye Birdie” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at the school. Tickets available at NHS for $5. General admission.
Sawmill Day and Car Show
Sawmill Day and Car Show, Saturday, May 7 from 8:30 a.m.. until in Century. Click here for complete information.
Tate High FFA Alumni Rodeo
The 20th Tate High School FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo will take place Saturday night at the Escambia County Equestrian Center. Click here for more info.
Atmore Mayfest
The annual Mayfest in Atmore will take place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday at Tom Byrne Park on Lindberg Avenue.
Sunny, Warm; No Rain
May 6, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia forecast, with not a drop of rain in sight:
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 48. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. West wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Join NorthEscambia.com On Facebook (Including A Second, Brand New Page)
May 6, 2011
Join NorthEsambia.com on Facebook to stay connected on the latest news plus up to the minute breaking news updates. There are two Facebook pages you can join — the NorthEscambia.com Facebook Fan page (an upgrade from our previous page) and the brand new personal page of William, our publisher.
William’s personal Facebook page will, over time, include behind-the-scenes information about stories that William has covered (or will cover) and other information that you won’t find on the NorthEscambia.com fan page. Plus he will throw in some surprises from time to time.
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Trial Date Set For Molino Couple In Alleged Cancer Scam
May 6, 2011
A trial date was set Thursday for a Molino couple accused in a fake cancer scam that raised thousands of dollars.
Sonja Marsell Luker, 42, and Gerald Christopher “Chris” Luker, 43, are set to appear in court on July 20 for a discovery hearing. Their jury trial is set to begin August 1 on felony charges of fraud and grand theft.
Both were absent from their arraignment hearing on Thursday after entering not guilty pleas and waiving arraignment late last month.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, numerous fundraisers were held between May 2004 and October 2010 that raised over $19,000. Evidence shows that about $14,000 was used to avoid foreclosure on their home in 2009 and about $4,000 in cash was used by Chris Luker to purchase a 1997 Harley motorcycle.
The Sheriff’s Office investigation found that Chris and Sonja Luker personally received money from friends, family, church members and co-workers under a “scheme” that Sonja Luker was being treated for cancer. Investigators believe both Chris and Sonja Luker are guilty of fraud in the scheme; witnesses said the couple was observed together at fundraisers talking about her cancer treatments.
For an earlier story about the arrests, click here.
Pictured above: Sonja and Chris Luker (in black shirts) are seen in a 2009 NorthEscambia.com photo from a motorcycle ride fundraiser that benefited her alleged fight against cancer. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
National Day Of Prayer Observed (With Photos From Century, Atmore)
May 6, 2011
The National Day of Prayer was observed across the area Thursday.
In Atmore, churches and the faithful from across the Atmore and North Escambia region gathered at an Atmore park for a prayer service. Following prayers for the community, leaders, businesses, government, the media and others, the entire Bible was read in 30 minutes with each of about 200 people reading a different portion of scripture out loud.
In Century, community leaders gathered to prayer for their community, business and government.
Similar services were held in Pace, Pensacola, Brewton and Molino.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery with nearly 100 pictures from the Atmore National Day of Prayer event, click here.
For a submitted photo gallery from the Century National Day of Prayer event, click here. (Photos courtesy Cesar Gonzalez for NorthEscambia.com)
Pictured: Scenes as the entire Bible is read in 30 minutes during a National Day of Prayer service in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dozens Of Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Four Area Schools
May 6, 2011
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized an outstanding group of area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night, including over 40 Northview High School students.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars: Mallory Anne Bell, Ashley Elizabeth Digmon, Laneicia Dynette Gomez and Sarah Malinda Killam from Northview High; Dallas Brown from Atmore Christian School; Kristen Gehman, Corleia McGinnis and Morgan Nichols from Escambia County High School.
The following students were recognized Thursday night as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars:
Northview High School
9th Grade
Madison Brooke Arrington, Kasie Lee Braun, Kira Nerys Cartwright, Lana Leigh Clayton, Morgan Nicole Digmon, Anna Elizabeth Donald, Anna Elizabeth Fischer, Tamara Maria Green, Jessica Nicole Lowery, Tiffani Nichole Pritchett, Mikaela Lynn Santos, Courtney Yvonne Solari, Danielle Nichole Steadham, Courtney Alexandra Weaver, Victoria Anne Wright
10th Grade
Alison Danielle Bardin, Hannah Elizabeth Fiellin, Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin, Ashton Brooke Gibbs, Georgia Anna Goetter, Marcus Trey Johnson, Zachary Sean Johnson, Skyler Ashton Macks, Ashley Nicole Mooney, Maranda Danielle Moye, Sandy Michelle Rainwater
11th Grade
Jamila Akilah Codrington, Holly Nicole Dickson, Josie Britt Doucette, Amber Dianne Francis, Cory Robert King, Joel Nathaniel Wetzel, Elizabeth Ashley Wright
12th Grade
Mallory Ann Bell*, Sara Lynn Conner, Ashley Elizabeth Digmon*, James Tyler Garrett, Laneicia Dynette Gomez*, Jocelyn Marlese Gould, Sarah Malinda Killam*, Jessynia Christina McCall, Christina Nicole Sepulveda, Emily Faith Vickrey, Dustin Brooks Yuhasz.
Atmore Christian School
9th Grade
Travis Smith
10th Grade
Jacinda Stahly, Narisa Wiggins, Hannah Ziglar
11th Grade
Casey Freeman, Tessa de Jongh
12th Grade
Dallas Brown*, Deidre Smith.
Escambia Academy
9th Grade
Abby Akins, Noah Coon, Megan Duncan, Brice McGhee, Sarah Weatherford
10th Grade
Caitlyn Bruley
11th Grade
Branden Goddard
12th Grade
Jordan Colbert, Nycole Thompson.
Escambia County High School
9th Grade
Tristen Boothe, Kevin Brown, Dakota Goins, Yamilex Gutierrez, La’Shandra Hartley, Austin Johnson, Cedric Kyles, Dy’rosia Lee, Alexis Moorer, Annah Nichols, Larry Pugh, Matthew Quimby, Sabrina Rivers, Moeshia Salter, Megan Stabler
10th Grade
Mariah Hinton, Scarlet Martin, Jazmine McGinnis, Tiffany McReynolds, Bria Willis
11th Grade
Jazmine Adams, Quinston Ephraim, Marie Gonzalez, Amber Hubert, Keierikai James, Rainy January, Ta’Kia Johnson, Brianna Martin, Jamieka North, LaRose Powell, Taniecha Richardson
12th Grade
Ardelia Barnes, Ebony Bowman, Jasmine Chafin, Amanda Ferguson, Kristen Gehman*; Cody Johnson, Dominique Knight, Alexus Lee, Danielle Lyles, Corleia McGinnis*, Meghan Moye, Morgan Nichols*, Robert Wilkins, Brooke Woolard.
Pictured top: Atmore Royar Four-Year Academic All-Stars Mallory Anne Bell, Ashley Elizabeth Digmon, Laneicia Dynette Gomez and Sarah Malinda Killam from Northview High. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Royals Finish Impressive Track Season At State Meet
May 6, 2011
The Jay Lady Royals finished an impressive track season recently at the state track meet.
The following was submitted by Jay High School Coach Stan Blackman:
With 133 schools in Florida’s Class 1A, Robin Blackman of Jay High School finished her senior year with three school records – the 400 meter dash with a time of 61.75, the 800 meter run with a time of 2:26.61, and the 4×800 meter relay with a time of 10:03.55.
Blackman placed tenth in the state in both the 800 meter run and the 4×800 meter relay where she ran the anchor leg. Blackman will continue her running career at Troy University next season where she will be running both cross country and track.
Blackman finished as the top point scorer for the Royals with 389 points. She advanced to the state meet every year since seventh grade and was among the top three point scorers since ninth grade. She will be sorely missed.
Leely Trevino was the other senior star for the Royals. She was part of the 4×800 relay that broke the school record and placed tenth in the state. She was also the number two point scorer with 301 points.
She place eleventh in the state meet in the 1600 meter run. Leely’s personal record in the 1600 meter run was set at Washington High School with a time of 5:37.09 where she placed first in the Panhandle Championships.
Both Trevino and Blackman are Florida Elite Runners in the area for Cross Country. Other members of the 4×800 state relay team were Caristyn Golden and Jessica Thornton. Golden was the number three point scorer this year for the Royals. She scored 271 points for the Royals. Thornton is an eighth grader, and she ran her personal best time at state this year with a split of 2:35.
Other state finishers included the 4×400 relay team that finished 15th. Members of this team were Blackman, Trevino, Golden, and Shelby Thomas.
The Royals had a great season and set many personal records. It was definitely a season that will never be forgotten.
Coach Stan Blackman
Jay High School
Pictured top: (front, L-R) Robin Blackman, Leely Trevino, (back, L-R) Coach Sonya Odom, Shelby Thomas, Caristyn Golden and Coach Stan Blackman. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate FFA Alumni Rodeo Tonight, Saturday
May 6, 2011
The 20th Tate High School FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo will take place Friday and Saturday nights at the Escambia County Equestrian Center.
Admission is $10 at the gate for adults, $5 for children. Proceeds benefit the Tate High School FFA.
The rodeo takes place at 7:30 p.m. both Friday at Saturday at theEscambia County Equestrian Center at 7750 Mobile Highway in Beulah.