Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison As Habitual Offender
November 17, 2012
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison as a habitual felony offender.
James Allen Black III, 30, was sentenced by Judge Gary Bergosh for robbery with a weapon. He has an extensive criminal history, including convictions for battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of a controlled substance and escape.
Prosecutors said on May 5, 2012, the victim was walking down Cervantes Street in front of the Travel Inn when Black approached him for a cigarette light. When the victim pulled out his lighter, the defendant put a gun to his temple and demanded his money.
Once the victim gave the defendant his money, the victim ran to a nearby convenience store where he saw a Pensacola Police officer. The victim was able to give the officer a detailed description of the defendant and the jacket that the he was wearing. Officers located Black outside the Travel Inn. When the officers approached Black, they saw a jacket that matched the description from the victim.
Black admitted that the jacket was his and when officers arrested him, they found a gun on his person.
Latest Jobs Numbers Show Fewer Unemployed Locally
November 17, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed the unemployment rate dropping in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, and edging up in Escambia County, Alabama.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.6 percent in September to 8.1 percent in October. There were 758 fewer people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 11,363 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 9.8 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment dropped from 7.6 percent in September to 7.0 percent in October. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,043 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.6 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment was up slightly from 9.5 percent in September to 9.6 in October. That represented 1,435 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 9.7 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s jobless rate fell in October to 8.5 percent, its lowest level since December 2008. Florida still lags behind the nation but closed the gap a bit. The national rate stood last month at 7.9 percent. If discouraged workers and part time employees seeking full-time jobs are added, Florida’s unemployment rate for October was 16.4 percent down from 18.2 percent a year ago.
“We are creating an environment that fosters job creation, economic development and provides a skilled workforce,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. “My number one goal is to create jobs for Florida families and get this state back to work. There is still more work that needs to be done, but I’m confident we’re on the right path.”
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 8.1 percent in October, was down from September’s rate of 8.2 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 8.5 percent.
Nationally, the unemployment rate fell more, dropping 0.3 points in September to 7.8 percent. That’s 1.2 percentage points lower than September 2011.
Walter Eugene Gunn
November 17, 2012
Mr. Walter Eugene Gunn, 84, passed away on Friday, November 16, 2012 in Walnut Hill.
Mr. Gunn was a native of Ponce de Leon, FL and a resident of Walnut Hill since 1959. Mr. Gunn was a veteran of the US Air Force and retired from Monsanto after 39 years of service. He attended the Bethel Temple Holiness Church.
He is preceded in death by his son, Carl Eugene Gunn; parents, Walton and Emma Gunn; one brother, Howard Gunn; and two sisters, Perry Lee Strength and Emma Lee Wilson.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Earnestine Brown Gunn of Walnut Hill; one son, William Mark Gunn of Walnut Hill; one daughter, Cindy Turner of Walnut Hill; daughter-in-law, Tracey Gunn of Pensacola; four brothers, Earl Gunn of Huxford, Ben Gunn of Flomaton, Cecil Gunn of Mobile, and James Gunn of Perdido; five grandchildren, Lcpl Garrett Turner, Seth Turner, Travis Gunn, Crystal Gunn and Amber Davis; two great-grandchildren, John William Justice and Cableaux Gunn.
Funeral services will be Monday, November 19, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ricky Peebles, Rev. Lamar Allen, Rev. John Morrow, Rev. John Fillingim and Rev. John Coleman officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 18, 2012, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Garrett Turner, Seth Turner, Travis Gunn, Jarrod Justice, Jeff Gunn and Brandon Wallace.
Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Brooks, Mike Johnson, Earl Gunn and Herbert Brown.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
John Colin Lewis
November 17, 2012
John Colin Lewis, 77, of Cantonment, died Thursday, November 15, 2012.
John was born March 06, 1935, in Pensacola to Colin C. Lewis and Edith Wilkinson Lewis. He graduated from Pensacola High School in 1953 and served in the U. S. Marine Corps from 1956 until 1958. After retiring from Liberty Lanes, he became active in bowling with the Senior Saints at DeLuna Lanes and was a member of the U. S. Bowling Congress. John became interested in collecting insulators in his retirement years and joined the National Insulator Association and Dixie Jewels Insulator Club. He was a ham radio operator (KD4GQD) and an avid NASCAR fan, who loved to fish.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jean Young.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Shirley Lewis; stepdaughter, Vicki Breeland; granddaughter, Amanda Grant; numerous nephews and nieces; Alexis his cat and Puppy his dog.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel with Dr. Jerry Passmore officiating.
Entombment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park with military honors.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2012.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Gift Processing Administrator, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA 22172.
Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.
Iris Jane Peters
November 17, 2012
Iris Jane Peters, 39, of Cantonment passed away Thursday, November 15, 2012, at her home after a two year battle with brain cancer. She was born in Frankfurt, Germany and graduated from Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, NC and served honorably as Corpsman in the United States Navy.
Iris was welcomed home by our daughter Emma. She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Wesley Peters, three sons Andrew, 10, Joshua, 8, and Noah, 5; father, Bernie Autenrieth; mother, Hannelore Gano(Rich); brother, Fritz Autenrieth (Andrea); niece, Carley Peters; nephews, Zachary and Nathaniel Autenrieth and Braxton Peters.
Iris was a dedicated wife and stay at home mom who loved the Lord and her family and friends. Throughout her illness she kept her sense of humor and was an inspiration to all.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Funeral services will be at 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at Faith Chapel North with Pastor Phillip Frensley officiating. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetary with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers she requested that donations be made to Cure Search or the National Brain Cancer Society.
Two Dead In Gulf Oil Rig Explosion
November 17, 2012
Coast Guard crews are searching for two missing crew members following a platform explosion about 20 miles southeast of Grand Isle, Louisiana, Friday morning.
Eleven crew members were airlifted from the Black Elk Energy-owned platform to various local hospitals. Nine more crew members were safely evacuated off the platform. The fire has been extinguished, and a sheen has been spotted in the area.
The Coast Guard is currently searching with response boats from Coast Guard Stations Grand Isle and Venice, the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutters Pelican and Razorbill, an HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft crew and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Aviation Training Center in Mobile, and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station New Orleans.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
The explosion came a day after BP reached agreement with U.S. prosecutors to plead guilty to criminal charges and pay a record $4.5 billion in penalties for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident.
Pictured top: An oil platform burns in the Gulf of Mexico Friday. Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Appeal Dropped In Prison Health Privatization
November 17, 2012
A contractor has dropped an appeal against the Florida Department of Corrections in a bidding-related dispute that stemmed from the state’s plans to privatize prison health services.
Wexford Health Sources last week agreed to dismiss the case in the 1st District Court of Appeal and is negotiating a contract to provide health services at prisons in the southern part of the state. Another firm, Corizon Inc., was awarded a contract to provide the services in central and north Florida. Wexford had also sought the contract in those areas.
The prison health privatization issue has been highly controversial, with representatives of state workers leading a long-running legal fight against the idea. A Leon County circuit judge is expected Monday to hear arguments in a case spearheaded by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Florida Nurses Association.
By The News Service of Florida
Thomas Philip “Phil” McShane
November 17, 2012
Thomas Philip McShane “Phil” was born on September 12, 1944, and left this earth to rest in the arms of his Savior on November 16, 2012.
For those who knew him, Phil was larger than life.
Phil was a member of the Community of Christ Church in Cantonment. He loved the Lord and enjoyed worshipping with his fellow believers.
Phil loved big and gave big. He had a servant’s heart that gave unconditionally. He helped anyone in need that he came across.
Phil loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. His hunting camp in Camden was his “home away from home”. He would have rather been tromping through the woods than doing most anything else in the world.
Phil was a collector. He would trod through flea markets and antique stores any chance he got to see what treasure he might find.
Phil was co-owner of Master Insulation where he worked for over 25 years. He was in the contracting business for nearly 40 years. As he did with everything else, he worked hard at his business and his employees loved him like a family member.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. McShane Sr. and one brother, Charles E. McShane Jr.
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Deborah L. McShane; three children, P. Todd McShane of Elberta, Jennifer L. Todd (Wesley) of Pensacola and Marcia D. McShane of Franklin, TN; four grandchildren who were the light of his life, Parker T. McShane, Jillian G. Todd, Reagan E. McShane and Emma L. Todd; five brothers, Howard L. McShane (Gloria) of Griffin, GA, Timothy W. McShane of California, P. Dennis McShane (Freda) of Pensacola and J. Terry McShane (Barbara) of Pensacola. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and many, many loving friends.
Pallbearers will be his dear friends, William Childress, Ralph Ewing, Johnny Jernigan, Ray Johnson, Billy Perryman, Stover Perryman, Denny Qualls, and his beloved grandson, Parker McShane.
Phil had a heart for helping children. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the youth fund at the Community of Christ Church, 800 Watson Ave., Cantonment, FL 32533.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel North on Sunday, November 18, 2012, from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. with services immediately following. Burial will take place at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Alecia Moore Wiggins
November 17, 2012
Our precious Alecia Moore Wiggins, 66, of Pensacola, is in God’s Care as of Tuesday, November 13, 2012.
She is married to the late Vernon L. Wiggins, Jr. of Pensacola.
Survivors include her mother, Mary C. Tugwell; siblings, Rhonda Moore Marvell of Newport, RI, Thomas R. Moore of Cantonment; three children, MiLisa Anne Robinson of Orlando, Phillip (Jodi) Robinson of West Portsmouth, OH, and Andrew Joseph Wiggins of Pensacola; four grandchildren, Jordan, Chandler, Camden and Aiden; special nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
Alecia was born on April 29, 1946, in Pensacola to the late Avery D. Moore and Mary C. Tugwell. She began her Postal career as a hardworking city carrier. Her career blossomed and grew with many awards including Express Mail Achievement, Philatelic Sales and Community Service Awards. She was a proud National Legislative Member for Congress. She was a member of National Toastmasters and The National League of Postmasters. In August 1997, she was selected as Regional and National Postmaster of the Year for the State of Florida. She was given the title of Honorary Colonel for the state of Kentucky.
The love of her live, Vernon, was second only to her love of Jesus Christ.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 17, 2012 at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home with Reverend Ken Johnson officiating. Interment was at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Dennis Currey
November 17, 2012
Dennis Currey, 68, of Pensacola, went home to be with the Lord after a lengthy illness.
Dennis was born in Pensacola and graduated from J.M. Tate High School in 1962. He was a member of Plainview Baptist Church. He retired after 42 years from International Paper Company. He enjoyed such hobbies as restoring and attending classic Chevy car shows, fishing, gardening, cruising and spending time at the beach house. However, his favorite activity was to spend his time with his four grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his father, Jesse E. Currey.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Carolyn Cobb Currey; mother, Helen M. Currey; daughter, Lynn (Michael) Sharp; son,Van (Lori) Currey; grandchildren, Tyler and Megan Sharp and Hanna and Grant Currey; brother, David (Debi) Currey; and many other loving family members and friends.
Dennis will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, pawpaw, son and brother.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home with Brother Bill Flannigan officiating. Interment will follow at Klondike Baptist Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday, November 19, 2012, at Faith Chapel North.