Tornado Watch, Chance Of Severe Weather This Afternoon
February 7, 2017
There is a tornado watch until 6 p.m. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 72. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Areas of fog between 9pm and 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Brick Sale Continues For Century High School Monument
February 7, 2017
Despite lackluster sales so far, plans are moving forward for a brick monument at the site of the old Century High School.
Engraved bricks are being sold at $50 each to be placed around a 1936 monument and flagpole salvaged from the former school, which was demolished due to tornado damage. In total, about 3,o00 bricks were saved from the school building for the project. The $50 covers the cost of engraving the brick and construction of the monument; there is no profit made.
Century Bricks and Monument Committee member Regi Burkett told members of the Century Town Council that final drawings depicting the monument are almost ready, and he said he expects brick sales to soar once the plans are available.
The committee is also applying for a historical grant to help fund the project, which Burkett said he hopes to see completed within two years.
Each brick can be engraved with up to three lines of text with up to 20 characters per line To print an order form, visit CenturyHighBricks.com or pick up an order form at the Century Town Hall.
Pictured top: A sample engraved Century High School brick. Pictured inset: A 1936 monument salvaged from the former school will be in the center of the monument. Pictured below: A conceptual drawing of the monument. NorthEscambia.com photos/images, click to enlarge.
Free Sign Language Class Offered At Century Church
February 7, 2017
A free sign language class is being offered at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Century at 4:30 each Sunday afternoon. The class met for the first time this past Sunday, learning the basics of the alphabet. Organizers said it’s not to late to join the class. For more information, call (850) 366-4106.
Northview, Jay Lose In District 3-1A Basketball Tourney
February 7, 2017
The Northview Chiefs and theJay Royals both lost Monday in the District 3-1A basketball tournament.
No. 3 seed South Walton defeated No. 6 seed Northview 52-44, while No. 4 seed Freeport beat No. 5 seed Jay 65-49.
Freeport will host No. 1 Chipley at 5:30 Tuesday, while South Walton will ply No. 2 seed Baker at 7:00.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Triple Murderer Manhunt Won’t Close Escambia Schools Tuesday
February 7, 2017
Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has announced that as of 6:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, all schools are set to open at regular times Tuesday morning and all bus routes will operate as normal.
“We are, of course, staying in close communication with local law enforcement as they work to bring the fugitives to justice,” said Malcolm Thomas. “As a grandparent, I understand and share everyone’s concerns. As your school district’s superintendent, I feel that it is imperative that we continue school tomorrow and I assure you that we will also work to be vigilant with our schools’ security.”
“With many of our students’ parents needing to go to work, we would not want to risk parents having to leave their students at home alone,” Thomas added.
Tomorrow, the District will remain in close communication with law enforcement. If the District is provided with information involving a threat to any school, school personnel will follow normal protocols to activate lock down procedures to ensure the safety of students and staff.
James M. Lee
February 7, 2017
James M. Lee, known as “Jim” or “Jimmy” to his friends, was born on December 3, 1935, in Dunbar, WV.
In 1954, a week after his high school graduation, Jim moved to the Hopkins’ Boarding House in Pensacola, FL to work at the Chemstrand Plant. He worked 38 years at the plant, where he met his wife of 39 years, Una. Jim has served on the Board of Directors at Gulf Winds FCU for 50 years. He is also a member of Ensley Lodge 278. Jim and Una enjoyed traveling every fall to the Great Smokey Mountains, fishing on Lake Talquin, and camping at Fort Pickens. Jim was dearly loved by so many, especially his best friends Peanut and Ann Johnson, who stood by his side during his recent illness.
Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father, Les and Virginia Hundley; and his daughter-in-law, Gayle Francis.
Jim is survived by his wife, Una Lee; his children, James A. “Fred” Lee (Cindy), John Ellis Francis, Doug Lee (Melanie), and Patricia “Pat” Cleveland (Fred); his grandchildren, Kari Lee, Amanda Eady (Matthew), and Nicholas “Nick” Walther; and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were the Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee Members of Gulf Winds FCU.
Services were held Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Cantonment building fund.
Edward L. Barlow
February 7, 2017
Edward L. Barlow, age 63, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, after battling cancer and numerous health issues.
He was born November 12, 1953, in Pensacola, FL to the late Walter and Sadie Barlow, the fifth of six children. As a master craftsman, he enjoyed a long and varied career in the fields of both mechanics and carpentry.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Eloise.
Eddie leaves behind to cherish his memories his loving wife of 31 years, Kathy; his children, Robert (fiancé Lindsey), Richard, Anastasia (Rick), Beth and Emma; four grandchildren, Logan, Alexis, Jenna and Rowen; two sisters, Loyce and Barbara; two brothers, Charles and Robert; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Eddie loved life and people and always had a good story to tell. He also had a special place in his heart for those less fortunate or in need and did whatever he could to help and care for them. Some of the things Eddie enjoyed most in life were spending time with his family, traveling, fixing up old cars, puttering in his workshop with various projects and having breakfast with his friends.
Eddie will be greatly missed and remembered in our hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Sacred Heart Cancer Center, 1545 Airport Blvd., Pensacola, Fl. 32504 (cancer.org) or your favorite charity.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. prior to services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home Northis entrusted with the arrangements.
Debra Ann Shanks Agerton
February 7, 2017
Mrs. Debra Ann Shanks Agerton, 64, passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2017, in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Agerton was a native and former resident of Atmore, AL and has resided in Walnut Hill, FL for the past 25 years. She was the first Animal Control Officer for the City of Atmore and she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Luveda Shanks.
She is survived by her husband, Gene Agerton of Walnut Hill, FL; one son, Nicklas Agerton of Atmore, AL; three daughters, Mindy Jackson McGhee of Atmore, AL, Ashley Agerton of Mobile, AL and Jordan (Hunter) McKinley of Atmore, AL; one brother, Larry Shanks of Atmore, AL; two half-sisters, Marsha Shanks of Uriah, AL and Patty Shanks of Uriah, AL and five grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, February 6, 2017, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Johnny Stabler officiating.
Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers were James Agerton, Hunter McKinley, Matthew Shanks, Darrell Sells, Nicklas Agerton and Robert Agerton.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Bo Hassell
February 7, 2017
Bo Hassell, 85, passed away February 3, 2017, at home in Gonzalez, Florida. He was born in Brooklyn, Alabama and attended Evergreen High School where he played baseball and football. After a two year stint in the army, he married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Thomason. Bo worked 31 years at Monsanto in Pensacola as a machine shop foreman, retiring in 1981. He then started a second career in the land clearing business. He spent most of his leisure time deer hunting or getting ready to deer hunt.
He is survived by his loving wife Julie; his two sons, Scott (wife, Sandy) and Rex (wife, Brandy); three granddaughters, Allison, Jenna and Haley; great-granddaughter, Presleigh; and sisters, Elaine Owens and Diane Griffin.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 55 years, Juanita; his parents, Jim and Eloise; and brother, Jim.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at Eastern Gate Funeral Home in Pensacola, Florida.
Fire Destroys Cottage Hill Building
February 6, 2017
Fire destroyed a vacant building in Cottage Hill Monday afternoon. The fire was reported about 12:20 p.m. in the 100 block of Highway 95A near Cottage Hill Road. The unoccupied building was heavily involved in fire when firefighters arrived on scene. There were no no injuries. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
