Woman Charged With Hitting Ex-boyfriend With Car
February 3, 2012
An Escambia County woman who allegedly struck her ex-boyfriend with her car in early January was arrested Thursday afternoon.
Shana Hills, 26, was taken into custody without incident at her residence by the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Hills is accused of driving onto the shoulder of the road and striking her ex-boyfriend as he was walking north on Palafox Street on January 9. The victim was thrown on top of the hood of the car Hills was driving and then fell off slamming his head onto the pavement, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The victim was taken to a local hospital in serious condition.
Investigators obtained a warrant for her arrest on January 24 and looked for her ever since on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Hills was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Photos: Career Night
February 3, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School held a Career Night Thursday evening to give parents, students and community members the chance to learn more about career and educational opportunities available in the area.
From attorney to EMT, from interior designer to electrical lineman, attendees were able to learn about a variety of career fields. School representatives — including Northview, Ernest Ward, Tate and George Stone, were on hand to provide more information about career academies, middle and high school academic programs and extracurricular activities.
Pictured top: Tim Hawsey from the First Baptist Church of Bratt explains “minister of music” as a career choice. Pictured inset: Chefs demonstrate cake decorating at Ernest Ward Middle School’s Career Night Thursday evening at the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chief Houston Lee McGhee
February 3, 2012
Chief Houston Lee McGhee, age 74 of Atmore, died Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at his residence. He was maintenance supervisor with Poarch Creek Indians, born in Escambia County (Ala.) on March 17, 1937, to the late Chief Calvin William and Joyce Ingram McGhee.
He was preceded in death by three brothers – Roy L. McGhee, Curtis E. McGhee and J. Frank McGhee.
He is survived by his wife, Margie L. Brown McGhee; three daughters, Jacqueline L. Hadley, Valerie L. McGhee and husband Nicky, Beverly A. Holcomb and husband Nathan, all of Atmore; one brother, Dewey L. McGhee and wife Olivette, of Atmore; six grandchildren, Valisa L. Hadley, John Houston Chance and wife Ashley, Robert Shane Hadley, Kelley Danielle Presley and husband Matt, John English and wife Magen, Jessica Martin and husband Dusty; seven great-grandchildren, Nenaeh Hadley, Hunter Chance, Colby and Cara English, Makenzie, Layton and Kaison Martin.
Services will be Saturday, February 4, 2012, at 2 p.m. from Atmore Memorial Chapel with Rev. Robert Thrower officiating. Internment will follow in New Home Cemetery at Poarch.
Family will receive friends Friday evening February 3, at Atmore Memorial Chapel from 6 – 9 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Attempts Begin, Again, To Tax Internet Sales In Florida
February 3, 2012
Bills to tax Internet companies doing business in Florida resumed their treks on Thursday as separate measures began to move in the Senate.
The Senate Finance and Tax Committee approved the introduction of a proposed committee bill, HB 7206, which would set up a mechanism to begin collecting sales tax from out-of-state, online vendors that do not currently pay state sales tax. Sales tax collections would be returned to taxpayers by way of sales tax holidays or other routes.
“I have shopping centers that are half empty,” said Sen. Gwen Margolis, D-Miami. “We’re not talking about mom and pops, we’re talking about all kinds of large box stores.”
The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee approved a similar bill, SB 1514, on a 5-1 vote later Thursday. That measure, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Detert, does not earmark tax collections, which would instead revert to the state’s general revenue fund. That provision may be too heavy a load, said Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami. who was the sole vote against adopting the bill as a committee substitute.
“The leadership in both the Senate and House has said that if this bill passes, they want to have a bill that would equal the reduced revenue, because this bill is going to increase revenue,” Flores said. “So if it’s increasing revenue, in my opinion it’s still a tax, and I just don’t think that’s the way we need to be going this year.”
States around the country are grappling with how to glean tax revenue from Internet companies, which have sought protection under the U.S. Constitution’s commerce clause. Several lawsuits are pending.
By The News Service of Florida
Marie “Minerva” Burnette-Watson
February 3, 2012
Marie “Minerva” Burnette-Watson, age 86, of Chicago, went to heaven peacefully with family by her side Saturday, January 28, 2012 at University of Chicago Hospital.
Known by her church family as “Mother Watson” she was a member of New Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago and Gayles Memorial Baptist Church in Aurora, IL where she lived for many years. She was a dedicated member of the Mothers’ Board at both churches. She was also a State of Illinois certified and licensed Foster Parent who opened her heart and home to many children on a long and short term bases.
Minerva was born October 10, 1925 in Molino, FL and is preceded in death by parents, Dollan and George Burnette; husband, Henry Lee Watson of Chicago; and twelve sisters and brothers: Dorothy Weaden, Cleo Lovely, Hattie Pearl Burnette, R D Burnette, Lee Raniel Burnette, Otis Burnette, Elmer Burnette, Marion Burnette, Major Burnette, William Burnette, Nathaniel Burnette, and Jimmie Burnette. She is also preceded in death by two children, Mamie L. Taylor, and her only son, Bobby G. Burnette.
She leaves to mourn, sisters, Annie Ruth Smith (Pensacola) and Wilmer Althea Burnette (New York); as well as five daughters, Lillie P. Lindsey, Rathel (Ralph) Walker, Dorothy (Melvin) Davis-Caldwell, Jean Preston and Wanda (Frank) Askew-Tatem. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Life Service and Internment at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3, 2012 at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church and Cemetery, 5639 Highway 95A, Molino, FL.
Services are being handled by Joe Morris and Son Funeral Home.
Curtis Overstreet
February 3, 2012
Mr. Curtis Overstreet, 84, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at a Baldwin County hospital.
Mr. Overstreet was a native of Bay Minette,, a lifelong resident of Baldwin County, and a retired employee of Riechold Chemical Company.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jimmie Sue Overstreet and an infant daughter.
Survivors include: two sons, Roy Gene Overstreet of Summerdale and Earless Ray Overstreet of Perdido; two daughters, Peggy Sue Montgomery of Silver Hill, AL, and Jimmie Dale Arrington of Bratt; six grandchildren; and four sisters, Lucile Caterat of Daphne, Lillian Vaughn of Summerdale, Jackie Overstreet Wilson of NC, and Edna Earl Campbell of Fayetteville, NC.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 4, 2012, at 10 a.m.. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Sister Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial will follow at the Bay Minette Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday February 3, 2012, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore
James Lavon Kelly
February 3, 2012
James Lavon Kelly, age 77 of Foshee Road in Brewton, passed away Wednesday February 1, 2012, at a local hospital after a brief illness.
Mr. Kelly was a native and former resident of Pensacola, and during his childhood years lived in Pollard, AL, before moving to Brewton over 50 years ago. Mr. Kelly worked for Fisher-Pou Funeral Home in Pensacola during his early career in funeral service, and later worked for Mr. Marshall Craver at Craver’s and Flomaton Funeral Home. He later acquired both funeral homes in which he operated and managed with dignity and respect to the citizens of Brewton, Flomaton and surrounding areas until his retirement in December 2010.
He was a former long time member of the Brewton Rotary Club, Knights of the Round Table and was a member of the Pollard United Methodist Church. Mr. Kelly was an avid Crimson Tide football fan.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Shelby Kelly of Brewton; three daughters, Belinda Hintze of Crofton, Maryland; Beverly Cheniae of Virginia Beach; Brenda Kelly of Flomaton; three sons, Barry VanHoosen of Brewton; Larry VanHoosen of Mobile; Keith VanHoosen of Mobile; one sister, Sue Jarrett of Pensacola; 10 grandchildren, six great grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and other family members.
Funeral services for Mr. James Lavon Kelly are scheduled for Sunday afternoon February 5, 2012, at 2:00 at Craver’s Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Floyd Dyal and Rev. Johnny White officiating. Interment will follow in Pollard Cemetery with Craver’s Funeral Home on Brewton directing.
Visitation will be Saturday February 4, 2012, from 5-9 p.m. at Craver’s Funeral Home Inc,.
Bratt Elementary Releases Second Nine Weeks Honor Roll
February 2, 2012
The following students were named to the second nine weeks honor roll at Bratt Elementary School:
All A’s
Anna Adams
Lexxi Baggett
Haley Baker
John Bashore
Brody Black
Tanner Boone
Ann Margaret Boothe
Sarah Branch
Luke Bridges
Alexia Broadhead
Keaton Brown
Juliana Bryan
Conner Byrne
Emilee Cabral
Ashtyn Carnley
Noah Casson
Landon Chavers
Logan Chavers
Ashton Cloud
Karlee Criswell
Da’Mius Wesley
Cassie Davis,
Haleigh Dean
Colton Dockens
Savannah Doremus
Jackson Edwards
Jason Fayard
Amanda Franklin
Gabby Franklin
Makayla Garrett
Caitlyn Gibson
Alabama Gilley
Amber Gilman
JP Gilman
Emma Gimore
Gracie Godwin
Shelby Godwin
Zane Gurganus
Kara Hawkins
Gabriel Henderson
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Hannah Hughes
April Johnson
Anna King
Trent Knighten
Anna Lee
Sarah Long
Braeden McGhee
Bailie Merchant
Colby Morris
Mary Paige Nassar
Abigail Nelson
Travis Nelson
Chirstopher Nordman
Jaylon North
Dallon Rackard
Kinzie Rackard
Tyler Ray
Kenna Redman
Teriana Redmond
Delaney Reynolds
Allison Rice
McKenna Simmons
Arquavian Smith
Lydia Smith
Vivyan Smith
Savannah Spence
Alyssa Stabler
Bailey Van Pelt
Summer Waters
Cailee Wilburn
Autumn Williams
Clay Wilson
Lane Wilson
Kendall Wise
All A’s and B’s
Maggie Amerson
Shelby Bartley
Leah Berry
Garret Bodiker
Emilee Bomba
Trevor Bomba
Aiden Broadhead
Meggan Brown
Anastasia Bryan
Kadence Burklund
Tereasia Burt
Anyis Cabral
Caren Cannon
Jordan Capps
Cedriana Carter
Hannah Clayberger
Jacob Conley
Chloe Criswell
Justin Cruce
Tyler Davis
Franki Daw
Sheyenne Dillon
Wyatt Dillon
Makayla Dove
Ryan Dove
Cody Edwards
Alexis Evans
Jamyla Feagin
Ar’Mya Findley
Neionni Findley
Savannah Fullerton
Paige Gibbs
Olivia Gibson
Charles David Gilley
Tony Hall
Shane Hardin
Kerry Hicks
Zachary Hilton
Martina Howard
Payton Jackson
Wyatt Jarvis
Cameron Long
Kaleigh Macks
Ansleigh Maholovich
Angel Merchant
Joshuwa Merchant
Michael Merchant
Madison Nassar
Audrey Odom
Joseph Parker
Blaize Parrish
Gabbie Peebles
Madison Peterson
Cheyenne Philyaw
Larry Philyaw
Madelyn Plant
Matthew Pruitt
Libby Pugh
Mary Grace Rice
Shelby Rice
Savannah Roley
Samantha Roux
Kaylee Sawyer
Adrianne Shanks
Madelin Sheedy
Madison Sherouse
Carter Sigafoose
David Stokes
Savannah Stokes
Melissa Sunday
Peggy Sunday
T’ahna Wesley
Aaliyah Tucker
Hunter Wainwright
Jeremy Ward
John Michael Ward
Ahmad Warmack-Elliott
Kiara Wesley
Cameron White
Cassidy White
James Windham
Ty Wise
Connor Wolfe
Tate Grad, His Wife And 17-Year Old Daughter Killed In Fiery I-75 Pileup
February 2, 2012
A Tate High graduate, his 17-year old daughter and his wife were the final three victims found in the horrific I-75 pileup in a Gainesville wreck.
The bodies of Michael Hughes, his daughter Sabryna Dawn Louise Hughes and Sabryna’s stepmother Lori Hughes were found Tuesday evening in a badly burned pickup truck. The truck was incinerated Sunday night when it collided with a semi-truck that had stopped on I-75 due to fog and smoke conditions. In all, 11 people died in the crash.
The Hughes family was reportedly in the Gainesville area to attend a funeral.
Friends said Michael Hughes grew up in the Jacks Branch Road area and was a 1990 graduate of Tate High School.
Sabryna Hughes began her high school career at Pine Forest High School and transferred in the 11th grade to Escambia High School. She then became a home school student about two weeks ago. A candlelight vigil will be held for Sabryna beginning at 5:30 Friday at Avondale Park in the Bellview community.
The Florida Highway Patrol had closed I-75 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 motorhome had collided.
Farmers, Ag Producers Rally To Keep FSA Office Open In Molino
February 2, 2012
Dozens of Escambia County farmers and producers came together Wednesday in an effort to keep the Molino Farm Services Agency open.
The Molino FSA Office administers farm commodities, crop insurance, credit, environmental conservation and emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers in Escambia County. On January 9, the USDA announced the proposed closure of the office, forcing the farmers to drive to Milton or Brewton for FSA services.
Tim Manning, FSA state executive director, said that offices with two or less employees and offices that were located within 20 miles of another office were targeted for closure. Manning (pictured left) said that on December 23, the day chosen as a “snapshot” of the Molino office, it met both criteria for closure.
But multiple farmers and producers were quick to point out that it is more than 20 miles to drive from Molino, or areas like Walnut Hill or Nokomis, to the FSA office in Milton because of limited routes across the Escambia River. And the criteria for two or fewer employees, many producers said, was met only because a third employee in the office had recently retired.
“We all understand that government must be a good steward of our tax money,” Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones said. Jones, a timber producer in Escambia County, pointed out that the Escambia County FSA office was the third busiest payment office in the state. “Sometimes you have to weigh those dollars against those that fund it…to put the human factor in it.”
“We are the last in Florida, the last county,” Jones said, “and sometimes we get left out of a lot of things.”
The major savings from closing the Molino Farm Service Agency will be about $16,000 per year in rent to the Escambia County Farm Bureau for office space along with telephone service. All other utilities are included in the monthly rent.
Walnut Hill farmer Brett Ward (pictured left), speaking on behalf of the Farm Bureau Board, said it was no secret that the Farm Bureau wants to keep the $16,000 in annual rent flowing. He said that money is returned to the community each year through a variety of community organizations — most dealing with children — like the Northview and Ernest Ward FFA chapters, the Escambia County Extension Service for projects, the Molino Park PTA and Bratt Elementary School.
“The federal government is broke; we all know this,” Ward said. “But we in ag are willing to do our share. But let’s make smart cuts.This is my opinion, in our opinion, is not a smart.”
“Our job to feed and clothe this nation is hard enough,” Ward added. “Do not make it any harder by closing this office.”
“Hopefully the state staff will take to Washington the message that there needs to be a variance for Escambia County,” Jimmy Cunninham, chairman of the county FSA committee, said.
“We have pleaded for assistance,” Charles Woodward of Molino, former director of the Molino FSA office, said. “Can’t we get the people where the work is? We have been given a lot of lip service and we have done with very little.”
“Why aren’t we doing more at the FSA to get more food produced at the local level?” asked James Long. “Where are you going to get your food next week? This bunch right here.”
Mike Godwin of Walnut Hill suggested that perhaps instead of closing the Molino office, the Farm Service Agency should use it as a nationwide model of doing more with less since the number of payments processed per employee is now the highest in the state.
“We understand the impact these decisions have on communities,” State Director Manning said. “You will continue to find that FSA services are accessible and convenient.”
The Farm Service Agency will continue to accept written comments from the public concerning the Molino office closure for 10 days. Comments can be emailed to mark.cotrell@fl.usda.gov or submitted by mail. To download a comment form, click here.
Pictured top: Dozens of farmers and producers packed a meeting about the Molino FSA Office Wednesday morning at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Pictured bottom: The Farm Service Agency rents office space in this, the Farm Bureau Building in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
