Bridgette Presley Plemons
October 20, 2015
Mrs. Bridgette Presley Plemons, 42, passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2015, in Loxley.
Mrs. Plemons was a native of Flomaton, former resident of Foley and resided in Loxley, for the past two years. Mrs. Plemons was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend. She loved everyone and was of the Christian faith.
Survivors include her father, Donald Lee Presley of Atmore; mother, Brenda Presley of Summerdale; husband, Rodney Plemons of Loxley; two sons, Robert Charles Presley of Kaplan, LA and John Dillon Plemons of Greenwood, SC; one daughter, Shania Plemons of Loxley; four brothers, Mikeal Ryan Presley of Marietta, GA, Darin Gregory Presley of Pace, Rodney Stewart Presley of Summerdale and Jason Forrest Presley of Summerdale; and one sister, Carol Elaine Presley Reynolds of Jacksonville, FL.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 20, 2015, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Willis Nelson, Jr.
October 20, 2015
Willis Nelson, Jr., age 65 of Summerdale, went to be with our Heavenly Father on October 17, 2015. Jr was born May 25, 1950, to Willis Nelson, Sr. and Theda Nelson who preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Monnie Nelson; two sons, Curtis Shane Wolfe of Pensacola and Christopher Shawn Nelson, Sr. of Milton; three daughters, Teresa Fountain of Pensacola, Summer Henry and Karlee Nelson of Summerdale; one sister, Wanda Nelson of Milton; four grandchildren, Kera York and Devin Blackwell of Pensacola, Maleah and Christopher Shawn Nelson , Jr. of Milton; and numerous cousins and friends; and two very special cousins who were with him at the time of his passing, Syble Allen of Mobile and Roy (Barbara) Simmons of Pace.
The family requests in lieu of Flowers donations be made to The American Heart Association or The Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation in his name as he is being cremated. His children and sister will be having a Memorial Service to honor him in his hometown on Wednesday, October 21, from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m with service starting at 4:45 p.m. at True Grace Fellowship Church on Willard Norris Road, in Milton. Rev. Alton Nixon will be officiating.
The family requests to come casual and if you have an Alabama or Harley t-shirt to please wear it.
Honorary pallbearers will be his closest friends, Roy Simmons, Ken Bedgood, Larry Mc Allister, Harland Cotton and James Cotton.
Work Continues To Replace 75 Year Old Highway 97 Bridge
October 19, 2015
Construction is continuing on the replacement of a 75-year old Highway 97 bridge over Little Pine Barren Creek in Walnut Hill.
Work at the site began back in March, with traffic moved to a temporary bridge in July. Workers have completed removal of the old bridge, and they have recently completed the process of driving pilings to support the new structure.
The work is part of a $2.5 million contract which consists of replacing the existing structurally deficient bridge, including roadway reconstruction, milling and resurfacing, guardrail, drainage, new signs and pavement markings. Drivers will utilize a temporary roadway and bridge during construction of the new bridge. Work is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2016. No overweight loads will be permitted onto the temporary bridge (loads weighing over 88-thousand pounds).
The bridge is located at the intersection of Wiggins Lake Road, about one mile north of Ernest Ward Middle School. The bridge being replaced was constructed in 1940.
Pictured: Traffic on Highway 97 is detoured onto a temporary bridge in Walnut Hill as a 75-year old bridge is reconstructed. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Impact 100 Announces 10 $106,000 Community Grants
October 19, 2015
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a local women’s philanthropy group, awarded 10 grants Sunday worth $106,000 each to community groups.
Grant winners announced Sunday were:
ARTS & CULTURE
Ballet Pensacola, Inc.
Project: Elevate – 21st Century Productions for Ballet Pensacola
Pensacola Museum of Art, Inc.
Project: Expanding and Protecting the Vaults for PMA’s Fine Art Collections
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EDUCATION
AMIkids Pensacola, Inc.
Project: AMIkids Careers
Learn to Read of Northwest Florida, Inc.
Project: Public Awareness Campaign – The Most Powerful Organization That Nobody’s Heard Of
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ENVIRONMENT, RECREATION & PRESERVATION
Coast Watch Alliance, Inc.
Project: “Research to Restaurant”, Affecting a Sustainable Seafood Resource by Taming Lionfish
Veterans Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola, Inc.
Project: VMP Venue Enhancements and Infrastructure Improvements
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FAMILY
Children’s Home Society of Florida, Inc. collaborating with Escambia Community Clinics, Inc.
Project: Weis Community School Family Playground
Lutheran Services Florida, Inc.
Project: Transportation to Healing, Hope and Help
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Bay Area Food Bank
Project: Northwest Florida Healthy Food Distribution and Milton Warehouse Expansion Project
Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola, Inc.
Project: REAP’s Second Chance Re-Entry Program
“At the end of today, more than $7,236,000 has been distributed to non profits in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in the form of significant grants that make a lasting impact,” said Cyndi Warren, President of IMPACT 100.
IMPACT 100 hopes to keep the momentum going into next year by increasing membership to more women in our 13th year of working with nonprofits in the community.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
RESTORE Advisory Council Begins Project Review Process Tuesday
October 19, 2015
The Escambia County RESTORE Advisory Committee will meet Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the County Commission Chambers at 221 Palafox Place to discuss submitted projects and the next step in the process. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
The County’s RESTORE project submission portal website launched on July 1 and closed on October 2, 2015. More than 120 projects were submitted for entry, with initiatives ranging from bayou restoration to coastal sediment management, a native path boardwalk, workforce development, stormwater projects, habitat restoration, community centers and more.
For more information or general questions about the RESTORE process, upcoming meetings or related topics, visit myescambia.com/restore
Woman Dies In Sunday Night Escambia Traffic Crash
October 19, 2015
An Escambia County woman died in a traffic crash Sunday night.
About 8:26 p.m., 29-year old Jessica Williams was traveling east on Bellview Avenue in a 2005 Scion when she failed to stop at a stop sign at Blue Angel Parkway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Her vehicle traveled into the path of a 1996 Honda Passport driven b y 47-year old Gina Gianino.
Williams, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Gianino, who was wearing a seat belt, received minor injuries.
File photo.
Low 70’s Today; About 50 Tonight
October 19, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 73. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
News FCSS President From Escambia District; Local Rep From Tate High
October 19, 2015
The Florida Council for the Social Studies Conference was held recently in Kssimmee where Cherie Arnette, Social Studies Curriculum Specialist K-12 for the Escambia County School District, was installed as state president.
Tate High School teacher Robin Blalock was honored with the J. R. Skretting Outstanding Leadership Award for her work on the conference committee and installed as District 1 Representative for FCSS.
Blalock and Ransom Middle School teacher Lauren Samoszenkeo presented a session entitled, “Couriers of Memory: Teaching the Holocaust Using Survivor Testimony.”
In addition, Christopher Harris of Washington High School, and Cyprienne Gryskiewicz, formerly of Woodham and current SS Instructional Coach for ECSD, were recognized as Escambia county’s Social Studies Teachers of the Year.
Arnette, along with colleagues Peggy Renihan of PAEC and Maureen Carter of Palm Beach County, presented a session entitled, “Upstanders and Bystanders: Investigating Modern Social Responsibility Using History” examining strategies and tools for teachers and students to make positive choices when faced with injustice.
Pictured: (L-R) Lauren Samoszenko, Chris Harris, Cherie Arnette, Robin Blalock and Cyprienne Gryskiewcz. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Let The Music Play: Jay, Northview Band Photo Gallery
October 19, 2015
For a photo gallery featuring the Northview and Jay bands from Friday night, click here.
For a football action story and photo gallery from the Northview at Jay game, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Sending Crews To Battle Wildfire In Texas
October 19, 2015
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced recently that the Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is sending 16 wildland firefighters to assist wildfire suppression efforts on the Hidden Pines Fire in Bastrop County, Texas. The fire has burned more than 4,300 acres, destroying nine homes and threatening hundreds more.
“Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters are an elite group of selfless public servants committed to the protection of life, property and natural resources. This commitment extends beyond Florida’s borders as we work to provide support to our partners across the country,” said Putnam.
So far this year, the Florida Forest Service has sent nearly 550 firefighters and personnel to assist wildfire suppression and management efforts in 11 other states.
“Thanks to sustained low to moderate wildfire danger levels in Florida, we have been able to continue to assist our partners in other states,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester. “In doing so, our wildland firefighters build upon their skills and expertise in preparation for when Florida’s wildfire activity hits its peak in the spring.”
Photo courtesy Florida Forest Service for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.