Court Upholds Convictions In Billings Murders
November 10, 2012
The First District Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction and life sentence of Donnie Ray Stallworth, Jr. for the first degree murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings in July 2009.
At the time of the murders, Stallworth was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Hurlburt Field. The 1999 T.R. Miller High School graduate is a Brewton native
Previously, the court affirmed the conviction and sentence imposed against Wayne Coldiron for his involvement in the Billings murders.
The Florida Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in an appeal by Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. on December 5. He was sentenced to death as the mastermind behind the plan kill the Beulah couple at the their home.
Pictured: Donnie Ray Stallworth, Jr.
Equestrian Center: Free Dressage Horse Show, Yard Sale To Benefit PER
November 10, 2012
The Escambia County Equestrian Center will host the Blue Angel Dressage horse show Saturday and Sunday. Classes start at 8 a.m. on both days and run until 6 p.m.
Dressage — which means training — is a fascinating sport combining high levels of training and partnership between horse and rider with beautiful, dance-like movements. The Blue Angel Dressage show is coordinated by the Deep South Dressage and Combined Training Association.
The event is free to spectators. A full-service concession stand will be open during the event.
Additionally, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Junior Humane Society will be hosting a yard sale fund raiser during the event this weekend.
Today: Fish Fry, Library Book Sale, Yard, Bake And Craft Sales
November 10, 2012
Here is a look at selected events happening today in the North Escambia area:
Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department will hold their 43rd annual catfish fry Saturday, November 10, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station. Catfish or grilled chicken plates with hushpuppies, baked beans, coleslaw, dessert and drink, $7 per plate. Door prizes.
Pine Forest Arts And Crafts Festival
Pine Forest United Methodist Church will hold their 23rd Annual Arts and Crafts Festival and Car Show on Saturday, November 10, 2012, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Live music by Nashville artist Ron Jeffers. Over 100 arts, crafts & other vendors, food, homemade baked goods, and a holiday luncheon. Free admission. 2800 Wilde Lake Boulevard, Pensacola. Proceeds used for community ministries. (850) 944-0170 or visit www.pineforestumc.org.
Friends Of The Library Book Sale
The Friends of the Library fall book sale will be held 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, November 10, and 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 11 at the Tryon Library, 1400 Langley Avenue. New books, collectibles, hundreds of used books.
Byrneville UMC Yard, Bake Sale
Byrneville United Methodist yard and bake sale at 1351 Byrneville Road in Century, Saturday, November 10, 7 a.m. until noon, indoors. Clothes, shoes, baby items, craft items and more.
Panhandle Equine, Jr. Humane Yard Sale
Panhandle Equine Rescue and Junior Humane Society yard sale Saturday, November 10 from 8 a.m. until at the Escambia County Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway. Household goods, furniture, baby items, quality clothing and horse tack. Arts can crafts vendors, face painting and more. Refreshments available.
Thelma Faye Brown
November 10, 2012
Thelma Faye Brown, 93, of Cantonment, passed away Thursday, November 08, 2012, in Pensacola. She was a homemaker, born in Atmore, on July 23, 1919, to the late Alanzo and Mary Jackson McGhee Franklin.
Survivors include one son, Claude Barron, Jr of Pensacola; one daughter, Margaret (Darel) Holland of Cantonment and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Saturday, November 10, 2012, at 2 p.m at Pine Barren Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
Marvie Lee Edward Barnett
November 10, 2012
Marvie Lee Edward Barnett, age 81, of Cantonment, passed away November 7, 2012, at the home that he built surrounded by his loving family. He retired from St. Regis and Stone Paper Mill. Marvie attended Farm Hill Holiness Church and was a veteran of the US Army.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Barnett; two daughters, Connie Barnett and Kim (Andy) Blackman; six grandchildren, Derek, Ethan Lee Edward, Nicholas, Christian, Charity and Noah; brother, Ray (Pauline) Barnett; and sister, Evelyn Barnes.
Funeral services will be on Sunday, November 11, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home with burial to follow at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens.
West Florida Downs Northview
November 10, 2012
Two state championship hopefuls met Friday night in Bratt, with the Northview Chiefs, ranked No. 4 in the state in 1A, more than holding their own against a much larger West Florida, ranked No. 4 in Florida in 5A. In the end, the Jaguars prevailed, 41-28.
“We had a couple of early turnovers that really hurt us,” said Northview head coach Sid Wheatley. “But basically from that point on basically every time we scored with good ball control, running the clock offense.”
“Two good football teams played tonight,” Wheatley said after the loss. “I thought out kids fought hard tonight.”
Click here for a photo gallery. (Cheerleader and dance team photos will be published Sunday, along with Northview Senior Night pictures. Band photos will be published Monday.)
The Jags took an early 7-0 lead with 9:53 to go in the first on a one-yard run from Joey Baker. Northview tied it up in with 7:41 in the second on a three yard touchdown run from La’Mikal Kyles, 7-7. Baker added another touchdown run with 5:29 in the second, and it was 14-7 at the half.
West Florida scored again with 9:31 to go in the third on a 27-yard pass from Baker to Daylan Abrams, 21-7.
But Northview wasn’t going down without a fight. Brannon Freeman scored on a 10-yard touchdown run for the Chiefs, 21-14 with 7:07 in the third. About five minutes later, a two-yard touchdown from Kyles tied it up 21-21.
West Florida pulled ahead less than a minute later with a 46-yard touchdown from Chris Mitchell on a pass from Baker, 28-21 headed into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Kyles scored again on a two yard run with 10:08 to go, 28-28. West Florida scored again on a one-yard run from Baker and a 23-yard run by AJ McMillion for a 41-28 final.
Kyles had 161 yards and three touchdowns for the Chiefs.
Both teams head into round one of the state playoffs next week. The Northview Chiefs, District 1-1A champions, will be at home against District 2-1A runner-up Cottondale. West Florida (10-0), the District 1-5A champs, will host District 2-5A runner-up Tallahassee Godby.
“I know Cottondale has some good athletes that are going to come over here and play real hard. So we are going to go work early Monday morning and go full blast on Cottondale,” Wheatley said. “We will be fully focused on Cottondale next week.”
Click here for a photo gallery. (Band, cheerleader and dance team photos will be published Sunday, along with Northview Senior Night pictures.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fonzie Hall
November 10, 2012
Mr. Fonzie Hall, 68, passed away on Thursday, November 8, 2012, in Canoe.
Mr. Hall was a native of Lottie and resident of Canoe for the past 15 years. Mr. Hall took responsibility to become a husband and father to six boys and two girls and never turned anyone away.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Karen Hall of Canoe; six sons, Chris Adams of Merdianville, AL, Tommy Smith of Poarch, Mycheal Smith of Perdido, Albert Countryman of Walnut Hill, Adam Countryman of Canoe, and Jason Countryman of Poarch; two daughters, Jessica Hall of Poarch and Jenni Hall of Canoe; two brothers, Willie Frank Hall of McCullough and Jack Hall of Atmore; 26 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Friendly Holiness Church with the Rev. Brandon Rowell officiating.
Burial will follow at McCullough Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, November 12, 2012, from 5 p.m. until funeral time at 2 p.m on Tuesday, November 13 at the Friendly Holiness Church.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Smith, Mycheal Smith, Travis Hall, Jack Hall, Willie Frank Hall and Ronald Peebles.
Honorary pallbearers will be C.J. Adams, Jason Countryman, Adam Countryman, Albert Countryman and Roger Scott.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of all arrangements.
Prep Football Scores
November 10, 2012
Here is a look at Friday night’s area prep football final scores.
FLORIDA
- West Florida 41, Northview 28 [Read more, photos...]
- Jay 50, Munroe 22 [Read more, photos...]
- Catholic 41, Washington 3
- Navarre 28, Gulf Breeze 14
- Wakulla 24, Escambia 8
- Open — Tate, Pace, PHS, Milton
ALABAMA PLAYOFFS
- T.R. Miller 55 Abbeville 20
- W.S. Neal 66 Slocomb 24
Jay Ends Season With 50-22 Win Over Munroe
November 10, 2012
The Jay Royals ended their season on a high note Friday night, beating the Munroe Bobcats of Quincy 50-22.
For the Royals, Brandon Cross had touchdowns of 25 and a yard, while Brandon Boutwell had couple of TD’s including a four-yarder.. Hunter Dillashaw also had a couple of touchdowns, one 50-yard kickoff return and one an 80-yard punt return. Ricky Cofield also had a Royal touchdown, a 59-yarder early in the first quarter.
The Royals ended the season at 4-6.
Photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fred William Walker, Sr.
November 10, 2012
Fred William Walker, Sr., age 76, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, surrounded by his family. Fred was one of six children born to Lonnie and Eliza Walker in Atmore. Fred was an Army paratrooper and a veteran of the Korean War. He was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. After retiring from many years of driving a truck, Fred enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Eliza Walker; brother, Teddy Walker; and his wife of many years, Mary Arlene Walker.
Fred is survived by three sons, Allen Waldrop, Billy and Danny Walker; three sisters, Annie Ruth Lewis, Polly Carter, and Ginger Jerkins; one brother, Eddie Walker; grandchildren, Rachael Waldrop, Willy and Mary Danielle Walker and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to thank Sacred Heart Hospital and West Florida Hospice for their care and kindness.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 11, 2012, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South.
Funeral services will be Monday, November 12, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Sister Helen Fretwell Stewart officiating. Burial will immediately follow the service at Myrtle Grove Methodist Church Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is in charge of arrangements.