Ada Bauldree Diamond
February 6, 2012
Ada Bauldree Diamond, age 97, of Jay, went to be with her Heavenly Father on February 6, 2012.
Mrs. Diamond was born January 21, 1915, to the late James Richard Bauldree and Annie Myers Bauldree in Enterprise, AL. Her family moved to Jay in 1927. In 1933, she married John Daniel (J.D.) Diamond and had nine children. Together they farmed and operated a grocery store until they retired in 1967. After retirement, they enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends. She was a member of Jay First Assembly of God and loved to go to church and listen to preaching and gospel music.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, John Daniel Diamond; sons, Richard Edward Diamond, Charles Rudolph Diamond, and John Clinton Diamond; son in laws, Hardy Renfroe and Dennis Williams; one grandchild, Vickie Diamond; Two sisters, Ethel Mae Stewart and Cora Lee Noles; six brothers, Hubert Smith, Lloyd Smith, James Bauldree, T.D. Bauldree, Willard Bauldree, and Alfred Bauldree. Survivors include: five daughters, Addie Rue (Bud) Mote, Linda Williams, Annie Merle Renfroe, Paulette (Tommy) Roberts, and Delorise Ann (Glenn) Gavin; one son, James Earl (Faye) Diamond; two daughter in laws, Doris Diamond and Mary Diamond; 22 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; and 13 great, great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, February 9, 2012, at Jay First Assembly of God with Rev. Ron Carnley and Rev. Frederick Barrow officiating.
Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at The Terrace at Ivey Acres Assisted Living Facility, Covenant Hospice and Dr. Jeffrey Kelley for the special care given to Mrs. Diamond during her last few months.
Sharplesss Graduates From USMC Boot Camp
February 6, 2012
Private Aaron R. Sharpless, 20, of Walnut Hill graduated from United States Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on January 20, 2012.
Private Sharpless successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD Parris Island as one of 62 recruits in Training Platoon 1001.
Following 10 days home on leave he will report to Camp LeJeune for one month at Military Combat Training then Military Occupation Specialty School in Pensacola.
Two Early Morning North Escambia Wrecks Cause Injuries
February 5, 2012
Two wrecks in the early morning hours Sunday left at two people injured in North Escambia.
The first accident happened about 3:30 a.m. near County Road 97 and Tobias Road in Cantonment. The driver of a minivan lost control, left the roadway and the van overturned into a tree. The vehicle came to rest on its side against the tree. The driver was able to crawl out of the vehicle as rescuers arrived and was transported to a Pensacola hospital.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the crash.
The second accident happened about 4:30 a.m. on Highway 4 near Still Road in Bratt. The driver of a pickup truck lost control, left the road way and the truck overturned. When the first firefighters from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance arrived on scene, they were unable to locate the driver of the vehicle. They later determined that the driver had been transported by someone else to Atmore Community Hospital.
Both accidents are under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The names and conditions of the drivers have not been released.
Escambia County Takes Stance Against Closing Molino FSA Office
February 5, 2012
Escambia County is officially speaking out in opposition to the federal government’s plan to close the USDA Farm Services Agency Office in Molino.
The Escambia County Commission has passed a resolution against the closing at the urging of Kevin White, who represents District 5 including Molino.
“The Escambia County FSA office is a vital resource to address the claims and concerns of citizens in Escambia County,” the county’s resolution states.
On January 9, the USDA announced the closure of their Molino office, the only Farm Service Agency Office in the North Escambia area on the list. The Santa Rosa County office in Milton and the Escambia County (Ala.) Office in Brewton will remain open.
The USDA has proposed to streamline operations and decrease costs under a plan that includes the consolidation of 131 county FSA offices in 32 states, including six in Florida. Many of the offices slated for closure, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, have a very small staff and are located within 20 miles of other USDA offices. In other cases, he said, technology improvements, advanced service centers, and broadband service have reduced some need for brick and mortar facilities.
The Molino FSA Office administers farm commodities, crop insurance, credit, environmental conservation and emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers in Escambia County.
Click here to read a full copy of the resolution.
Escambia County’s resolution will be forwarded to Senator Marco Rubio; Senator Bill Nelson; Congressman Jeff Miller; Tony Jackson, director, USDA Farm Service Agency; Timothy Manning, executive director, Florida State Farm Service Agency; and Jeff Barber, District 1 director, Florida State Farm Service Agency.
Last week, dozens of farmers and producers gather in a meeting to speak out against closing the service center. To read more, click here.
Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Arrest
February 5, 2012
A Cantonment man was arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop.
Corderious D. Stanton, 19, was charged with possession of marijuana less than 20 grams and possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.
An Escambia County deputy conducted a traffic stop for a broken tail light on Stanton’s vehicle in the parking lot of the Tom Thumb at 392 South Highway 29.
According to an arrest report, Stanton told the deputy that he had a small amount of marijuana in his front pocket. A search of the vehicle also located a quantity of crack cocaine in the vehicle cut into individual pieces.
Stanton was released from the Escambia County Jail on $16,000 bond.
Super Sunday Forecast
February 5, 2012
Here is your Super Bowl Sunday forecast for the North Escambia area:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Memorial Service Today For Local I-75 Crash Victims
February 5, 2012
A memorial service will be held this afternoon for Michael and Lori Hughes, the Escambia County couple that was killed last Sunday during a horrific crash on I-75 near Gainsville.
The service will take place at 2 p.m. at the Quality Inn & Suites at 7601 Scenic Highway in Pensacola.
The crash on a fog and smoke covered interstate claimed the life of 11 people, including Michael Hughes’ daughter Sabryna Hughes Gilley, age 17. A candlelight vigil in her honor was held Friday night at Avondale Park in the Bellview community.
Michael Hughes grew up in the Jacks Branch Road area and was a 1990 graduate of Tate High School.
The Florida Highway Patrol had closed I-75 last Sunday due to reduced visibility from a mix of smoke from a nearby brush fire and fog. The six-lane road was closed about three hours before being reopened by the Florida Highway Patrol. A short time later, the first crash occurred.
Before it was over, authorities said at least a dozen cars, a half dozen semis and a motor home had collided.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: You Gotta Know When To Fold ‘Em
February 5, 2012
When the 2012 legislative session underway, it would have been safe to predict that redistricting would be the most-difficult — and politically divisive — issue to resolve.
But with House votes Friday, the Republican-dominated Legislature is close to finalizing its redistricting plans. The maps likely will face court challenges from Democrats and other critics, but Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, praised what he described as a “careful, thoughtful and deliberative process.”
Supporters of resort casinos and prison privatization can only wish their proposals had moved so smoothly.
The controversial casino idea appears dead this session, after House sponsor Erik Fresen, R-Miami, decided Friday against taking his chances with a vote in the Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos, meanwhile, had to put off a vote this week on privatizing prisons across the southern half of the state after running into bipartisan opposition.
DISTRICTS COMING INTO FOCUS: House members voted along party lines Friday to pass legislative and congressional maps and send them back to the Senate for final approval next week.
Republican leaders said the maps follow constitutional requirements, including complying with a 2010 ballot initiative aimed at eliminating gerrymandering. They said, for example, the maps will lump some incumbent Republicans into the same districts and also split fewer cities and counties than in the past.
“At the end of the day, this decision is bigger than us, this map is bigger than us, the Constitution is bigger than any one of us,” said House Redistricting Chairman Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.
But Democrats blasted the maps, saying they were designed to help elect Republicans and violate the 2010 ballot initiative, which was known as the Fair Districts amendment. The Democratic arguments also set the stage for a legal fight in the coming months.
“This vote by the GOP is nothing less than a slap-in-the face to the 63 percent of Florida voters who approved Fair Districts — the maps passed today by the Florida House are unconstitutional, pure and simple,” state Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux said in a statement Friday. “They represent just the type of partisan gerrymandering and incumbent protection voters rejected in 2010.”
CASINOS BILL GOES OUT WITH A WHIMPER
For weeks, swarms of lobbyists and public-relations people waged a battle in Tallahassee about “destination” resort casinos. Meanwhile, folks at home turned on their TVs and saw ads touting – or criticizing — the proposed move into a new realm of gambling.
But after all of that, the issue appeared to die Friday without House members taking a vote.
House sponsor Fresen decided against having the Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee vote on the bill (HB 487), after it looked like the panel would reject it. Barring a miracle, that dooms the issue for the 2012 session.
The bill’s opponents, such as Florida Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wilson, praised the move.
“For all intents and purposes, today’s decision to postpone consideration of the gambling legislation is a decision to let what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas and frees up the Florida Legislature to address critical issues facing our state,” Wilson said in a prepared statement.
But supporters signaled they would keep working on the issue, which could come back next year.
“Private investment is critical to the health of our industry and our state’s economy, and we firmly believe that this great opportunity should not be put to the wayside,” said Carol Bowen, a vice president of Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter. “It’s important that the conversation continues on this issue and the job-creating efforts in Florida never rest.”
PRISON PRIVATIZATION SHACKLED
Haridopolos and Budget Chairman JD Alexander have pushed since last year’s session to privatize prisons across the southern part of the state, arguing it would save money that could be used for other needs such as education.
But when Haridopolos brought the issue to the Senate floor this week, he ran into opposition from a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. That forced Haridopolos to twice postpone moving forward with the privatization bill, as he tried to gather enough votes to pass it.
The standoff intensified Wednesday, when Haridopolos stripped Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, of his role as chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. Fasano has been perhaps the most-outspoken critic of the privatization plan.
Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said he didn’t think Fasano was committed to making needed budget cuts, which includes the prison-privatization plan.
“I’m asking other budget chairmen to make difficult cuts,” Haridopolos said. “It became clear to me that Sen. Fasano was not willing to make those difficult cuts.”
But Fasano harshly criticized the decision and said he was standing up for the “little guy and gal.”
“No matter how big the bully in the schoolyard may be, if the loss of a chairmanship is the result of taking a stand for what is right, I wear that loss as a badge of honor,” Fasano said.
Haridopolos acknowledged this week what was obvious when the vote was postponed – the votes may not be there to pass it.
“It’s super-close,” he said. “There’s a good chance we could bring it up and not win.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: The proposal to allow up to three mega-resort casinos in Florida appeared to die, when the House sponsor pulled it from consideration in a House subcommittee. The subcommittee chairman and House Rules chairman both indicated the bill will not come up again this session in the House.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It’s also a comfort today as I hear testimony and debate that I’m not the only one moving. I hope it will help the housing market in Florida, what we’re doing here today.”–Rep. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican whose home was drawn into a district with another incumbent.
By The News Service of Florida
Great For The Kids: Turtle Point Science Center Open House
February 5, 2012
There was an open house held Saturday at the Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton. If you missed it, there is another chance to see the facility next month.
The next open house at Turtle Point is scheduled for March 31 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Admission is free.
For more photos from Saturday’s open house, click here.
The 3,000 square foot facility offers a touch tank for children and other hands-on exhibits. It boasts an extensive collection of wildlife specimens including many Alabama birds, nests, and eggs; a butterfly and living bee exhibit; live alligators, turtles, snakes, amphibians, and fish of the East Gulf Coastal Plain geophysical region. Also, plant lovers will find six teaching gardens and a wetland nature trail.
Bird watchers are encouraged to hike the nature trail boardwalk and enjoy the red-tailed hawk, great blue heron, great egret, pileated woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-shafted flicker, yellow bellied sap sucker, eastern bluebird, wren, killdeer, green heron, barred owl, screech owl, and many other native birds and wildlife.
Turtle Point’s goal is to provide hands-on environmental education to students and adults in the South Alabama and Northwest Florida. Turtle Point is located at 20959 Highway 31 in Flomaton, near Hurricane Park and Flomaton High School. For more information, call (251) 296-3401.
Pictured top: The Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton. Pictured inset: A golden eagle on display at Turtle Point. Pictured below: A view of the Big Escambia Creek as seen from the nature trail at Turtle Point. Photos by Marcella Wilson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Locals Run The Double Bridges (With Results)
February 5, 2012
The 15th annual Pensacola Double Bridge Run was held Saturday with a 15K run, a 5K run and a 5K walk.
Rusty Branch of Cantonment wast the top North Escambia finisher at number 16 overall in the 15K run with a time of 57:09. Jessica Nesmith of Atmore was top local finisher at number three overall in the 5K walk with a time of 33:36.
Numerous North Escambia area residents took part. They were as follows:
Pensacola Double Bridge 15K Run
16. Rusty Branch Cantonment, 57:09
77. James Dillard Cantonment, 1:05:24
114. Matt Dobson, Jay, 1:08:19
136. Hank Colburn Cantonment, 1:08:19
149. Cory Phelps Cantonment, 1:08:41
202. Steve Black Cantonment, 1:11:12
273. James Stinson Cantonment, 1:14:17
277. Ryan Conner Cantonment, 1:11:29
329. Thomas Pierce Cantonment, 1:14:35
361. Thomas Rollins Cantonment, 1:15:28
428. Gayla Rowland Cantonment, 1:17:08
515. Beth Hammond Cantonment, 1:19:33
528. Brad Collins Cantonment, 1:19:42
560. Andrew Kim Cantonment, 1:20:30
591. Stacey Lowe, Jay, 1:21:23
600. Amy Stachowicz Cantonment, 1:21:35
656. Amanda Jensen Cantonment, 1:22:49
661. Timothy Montgome Cantonment, 1:23:17
696. Jeb Hunt Cantonment, 1:23:25
745. Brooke Rowell Cantonment, 1:23:08
817. Terry Goen Cantonment, 1:26:09
819. Roger Dobson, Jay, 1:26:38
854. Jason Weber Atmore, 1:24:26
882. Chad Hetheringto Cantonment, 1:25:49
890. Geoff Cook Cantonment, 1:28:06
1013. Jason Beck Cantonment, 1:26:49
1014. Matt Powell Cantonment, 1:26:49
1016. Joshua Moralita Cantonment, 1:31:46
1045. Christopher Raws Cantonment, 1:28:41
1046. Bill Buck Cantonment, 1:26:07
1066. Beth Anne Whitfield, Jay, 1:30.08
1140. Joshua Tucker Cantonment, 1:33:14
1146. Ashley McCormick Cantonment, 1:31:05
1174. Mark Gibson Cantonment, 1:32:50
1185. Ashley Brewster Cantonment, 1:32:44
1192. Corrie Lenn Cantonment, 1:32:33
1226. Ruth Grissom Cantonment, 1:35:28
1241. Darcy Conner Cantonment, 1:33:38
1264. Lace Raney, Jay, 1:34.28
1273. Brian Moore Cantonment, 1:35:05
1325. Gary Summitt Cantonment, 1:32:26
1392. Shirley Raney, Jay, 1:37:41
1441. Donna Hassebrock Molino, 1:36:43
1493. Dana Stumfall Cantonment, 1:34:37
1521. Melanie Jacobi Molino, 1:38:21
1602. Dominick Mondell Cantonment, 1:39:50
1609. Johnny Mondello Cantonment, 1:40:05
1652. Jennifer Little Cantonment, 1:43:12
1880. Janie Cobb Cantonment, 1:54:39
1899. Lindsey Milam Cantonment, 2:00:18
1907. Michelle Chan Cantonment, 1:54:02
1908. Nicholas Chan Cantonment, 1:54:06
1928. Brittny Abrahams Cantonment, 1:55:38
1940. Julie Spurlock Cantonment, 1:56:59
1946. Cinda Skaggs Molino, 1:55:55
1947. Scotty Skaggs Molino, 1:55:56
1986. Jennifer Collins Cantonment, 1:59:56
2018. Rebecca Corneliu Cantonment, 2:05:20
2020. Kency Summitt Cantonment, 2:07:03
Pensacola Double Bridge 5K Run
42. Randall Kelley, Jay, 24:13:00
71. Teresa Hendricks, Jay, 25:25:00
121. Haley Malone, Cantonment, 26:55:00
148. Alex McCrory, Cantonment, 27:45:00
209. Todd Stachowicz, Cantonment, 28:52:00
233. Jeffrey Bretana, Cantonment, 29:23:00
242. Brad Faulk, Century, 29:31:00
244. Adrian King, Century, 29:32:00
261. Sherry Glover, Cantonment, 29:52:00
263. Michael Leblanc, Cantonment, 29:55:00
269. Kendall McCrory, Cantonment, 29:57:00
273. Courtney Clarke, Cantonment, 29:58:00
326. Gene King, Century, 30:52:00
335. Glen Weber, McDavid, 31:03:00
389. Allison McCrory, Cantonment, 32:17:00
391. Kim Brown, Cantonment, 32:18:00
392. Susan Stromberg, Cantonment, 32:18:00
404. Patrick Wilkcs, Cantonment, 32:27:00
405. Kathy Stinson, Cantonment, 32:27:00
427. Allison Miller, Cantonment, 32:49:00
432. Waleed Kader, Cantonment, 32:56:00
438. Chris Reiter, Cantonment, 33:02:00
454. Clif Strickland, Cantonment, 33:18:00
482. Kelly Gary, Molino, 33:57:00
485. Bridgette Clancy, Cantonment, 33:59:00
534. Stephanie Godfrey, Cantonment, 34:49:00
538. Madison Whitfield, Jay, 34:54:00
550. Bruce Pope, Cantonment, 35:15:00
572. Judy King, Century, 35:37:00
588. Franklin Alexander, Cantonment, 35:53:00
648. Louis Lanier, Cantonment, 37:06:00
660. Dawn Thomas, Cantonment, 37:30:00
679. Kim Golden, Cantonment, 38:09:00
686. Robyn Hoffman, Cantonment, 38:22:00
733. Debi Luke, Cantonment, 39:56:00
768. Whitney Bretana, Cantonment, 41:14:00
793. Jeremy Evans, Cantonment, 42:16:00
802. Amber Wise, Cantonment, 42:41:00
805. Sharon Colburn, Cantonment, 42:49:00
814. Sandra Long, Cantonment, 43:40:00
846. Debbie Stewart, Cantonment, 45:19:00
847. Anna Gilg, Cantonment, 45:20:00
881. Mrs. Wilkcs, Cantonment, 49:05:00
898. Kimberly Kelly, Atmore, 52:02:00
899. Lori Eddins, Cantonment, 52:32:00
Pensacola Double Bridge 5K Walk
3. Jessica Nesmith, Atmore, 33:36:00
7. Sonny Manning, Cantonment, 36:14:00
17. Kim McLean, Cantonment, 38:50:00
19. Candace Gibson, Cantonment, 39:24:00
22. Wiley Tramble, Cantonment, 39:42:00
45. Darline Jones, Cantonment, 43:11:00
47. Catherine Griffin, Cantonment, 43:14:00
53. Lisa Taylor, Cantonment, 43:39:00
54. Mike Taylor, Cantonment, 43:39:00
135. Michael Clouse, Cantonment, 49:32:00
151. Joan Martin, Jay, 50:58:00
160. Donna Lancaster, Cantonment, 51:20:00
168. Chrystal Pedicord, Cantonment, 51:53:00
169. Carly Haskins, Cantonment, 51:53:00
170. Cindy Walker, Cantonment, 52:00:00
190. Fielding Stephens, Cantonment, 52:50:00
213. Mary Virgini Mills, Cantonment, 54:58:00
229. Jodi Livingston, Cantonment, 57:18:00
140. Haley Murph, Century, 49:58:00
99. Taunia Williams, Molino, 47:31:00
100. Lynda Mabire, Molino, 47:32:00
186. Tracy Yuhasz, Molino, 52:31:00
188. Wesley Partrick, Molino, 52:49:00
226. Robynn Maloney, Molino, 57:16:00
227. Lakota Maloney, Molino, 57:16:00