House Fire In Century Investigated As Arson
November 28, 2018
A Tuesday fire at a home in Century is under investigation as a possible arson.
The fire in the 300 block of East Pond Street was reported about 2 p.m. Firefighters arrived to find a mattress burning in the master bedroom of the home. The fire was quickly extinguished.
Witnesses said a man they identified as the resident of the home walked away after the fire started.
The home suffered smoke and water damage. It also had obvious damage that reportedly occurred well before the fire…including multiple broken windows and other indoor damage.
The fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County EMS responded to the blaze.
The home was constructed to replace a home heavily damaged in a February 2016 tornado.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore YMCA Will Close Permanently On Friday
November 28, 2018
The Atmore YMCA will permanently cease operations and close Friday afternoon at 5 p.m.
The Atmore YMCA has served Atmore and surrounding areas since June 1995, but fundraising and membership efforts were not enough to keep the facility open. Two full time and nine part-time employees are losing their jobs.
The facility announced a closure in 2014, but an influx of community funding kept the doors open. At last count the Y had over 600 members.
The YMCA will hold an “estate sale” on December 8 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and December 9 from noon until 4 p.m. to sell assets. Funds will be used to pay outstanding debts.
Pictured top: The Atmore Area YMCA building. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Donates $500 To Ernest Ward Middle
November 28, 2018
The Barrineau Park Historical Society has donated $500 to Ernest Ward Middle School.
Ernest Ward agriculture teacher Cynthia Wilson submitted a grant application to supplement expenses for animal care.
There are 160 students in the ag program at Ernest Ward. The Barrineau Park Historical Society is a Partner in Education with Ernest Ward Middle.
Pictured: (L-R) Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Perry, Barrinueal Park Historical Society President Craig Exner, ag teach Cynthia Wilson and BPHS member Bonnie Exner. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Drug Trafficking
November 28, 2018
An Escambia County man has been sentenced on drug trafficking charges.
Judge Scott Duncan sentenced Martavion Jones, Sr. to 15 years state prison for trafficking in heroin and cocaine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The 15 years will be served day for day as a minimum mandatory sentence. Jones was also fined $150,000.
Jones had an active warrant for his arrest when, on November 7, 2016, Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies observed him enter a residence located in 2400 block of North E Street. Deputies obtained a search warrant and located a large quantity of narcotics, including heroin and cocaine, and six firearms in the residence.
Jones had multiple prior felony convictions.
Two Seriously Injured In Santa Rosa County Wreck
November 28, 2018
Two people were seriously injured in wreck Tuesday morning in Santa Rosa County.
Douglas Kelley, age 71 of Pace, pulled his Ford F250 out of a private drive and into the path of a Ford Ranger that was traveling east on Willard Norris Road. His vehicle was hit by a Ford Ranger driven by 20-year old Cody Bundy of Jay, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.
Kelley was transported to the Santa Rosa Medical Center, and Bundy was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Kelley was cited with failure to yield right of way.
Sunny And Cool Today, Much Warmer For Tomorrow
November 28, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Calm wind.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Light east wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 65. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Senate Committee Leaders Named; Broxson Chair Of Banking, Insurance
November 28, 2018
State Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, was named chairman of Banking and Insurance Committee on Tuesday.
Senate President Bill Galvano put his stamp on the Florida Senate on Monday, as he slimmed down the number of lawmakers holding committee chairmanships and trimmed the number of Democrats in leadership spots.
Galvano, a Bradenton Republican who was sworn in last week as president, kept some Republicans in the same spots they held last year under former Sen. President Joe Negron, including Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, a Fort Myers Republican who will remain in her role as chairman of the Rules Committee, and Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who returns as chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
But other senators who were in Negron’s inner circle — including Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican who chaired the Banking and Insurance Committee and the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee — will have smaller roles. Flores will chair the Community Affairs Committee.
“It was with much deliberation that the appointments were made, input from the members and the knowledge of having served with many of them either in the House or the Senate or watched them from across the rotunda,” Galvano told The News Service of Florida. “Our team is well-positioned to serve the people of Florida with the many issues we’re presently facing.”
Helping round out Galvano’s leadership team is Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican who assumes the post of Senate majority leader. Galvano said he named her to the position because she has a “good rapport” with Republican caucus members.
Democrats picked up a seat during the Nov. 6 elections, leaving Republicans with a 23-17 advantage in the Senate. But Galvano reduced the number of Democrats in charge of committees from four to two.
Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, will chair the Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee. Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, will chair the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Galvano’s biggest structural move was to merge four committees into two, resulting in fewer chairmanships to give out.
He combined the former Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities Committee and Regulated Industries Committee into the new Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee, which will be chaired by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby. Simpson is expected to succeed Galvano as president in 2020 if Republicans keep their majority.
Galvano also combined the Transportation Committee and the domestic-security portion of the Military and Veterans Affairs committee to form the new Infrastructure and Security Committee. It will be chaired by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa.
The changes also extended to budget-writing panels.
Galvano merged two education-spending panels — the former Higher Education and PreK-12 Education subcommittees — into one spending panel called the Education Appropriations Subcommittee. That will be chaired by Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland.
He also merged the former General Government and Environment and Natural Resources Appropriations subcommittees to form the Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee. That panel will be chaired by Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Rockledge.
Another change on the fiscal end is that Galvano elevated the former Finance and Tax Appropriations Subcommittee to a full standing committee, which will be chaired by Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City.
Rounding out the committee chairmanships Galvano announced are:
— Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, chairman of the Agriculture Committee.
— Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, chairman of the Commerce and Tourism Committee.
— Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee.
— Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, chairwoman of the Health Policy Committee.
— Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, chairman of Banking and Insurance Committee.
— David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
— Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, chairman of the Education Committee.
— Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, chairman of Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee.
— Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, chairman of the Ethics and Elections Committee.
— Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, chairman of the Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee.
— Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee.
— Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, chairman of the Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
— Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach, chairman of the Military and Veterans Affairs and Space Committee.
For more on the Senate committee assignments, click here and here. Galvano’s memo announcing the assignments is here.
by Christine Sexton and Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Paul Ray Digmon
November 28, 2018
Paul Ray Digmon, 80 of Atmore, AL, passed away November 27, 2018, in Atmore. He was born on March 19, 1938, in Atmore, AL, to the late Jimmy and Maude Bowman Digmon.
He was a retired cabinet instructor from Jeff Davis Community College in Atmore, AL. He served in the United States Army.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James Digmon and Joe Digmon; and sisters, Eula White, Lilly Foster, Dorothy Leroy and Gertrude Ahern.
He is survived by his wife, Laverne Byrd Digmon of Atmore, AL; daughter, Teena (George) Peavy of Lake City, FL; stepson, Butch (Sandy) Lee of Flomaton, AL; and stepdaughter, Pam White of Atmore, AL; sister, Sherry Digmon of Atmore, AL; grandchildren, Daniel White, Ryan Gambel, Kyle Gambel, and Dustin Lee; six great-grandchildren and many family and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 27, 2018, from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Butch Lee officiating.
Burial was in Serenity Gardens Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Daniel White, Ryan Gambel, Kyle Gambel, Luke Brown, Ricky White and Caleb Fullerton.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Fate Welch, Jr.
November 28, 2018
Fate Welch, Jr., 86, of Brewton, AL, passed away Sunday, November 25, 2018, in Bay Minette, AL. He was a foreman for a clock factory. He was born on February 20, 1932, in Monroe County, AL to the late Fate and Addie Presley Welch, Sr.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Edna Welch; and brothers, Manford Welch, Tom Welch, Leroy Welch and David Welch.
Survivors include two sons, Jimmy Ray “Ricki” Welch of Birmingham, AL and Terry Welch of Barrnetts Crossroads, AL; two daughters, Darlene (Duane) Homan of Bay Minette, AL and Charlene (Donald) Odom of Barrnetts Crossroads,AL; three brothers, James (Judy) Welch and Eugene (Bobbi) Welch, both of Bay Minette, AL and Edward (Linda) Welch of Monroeville, AL; three sisters, Lois Saints of Bay Minette, AL, Lilly Mae Welch and Louise (Levi) Thompson, both of Monroeville, AL; three grandchildren, Andrew Odom, Derek Homan and Josh Odom; and great-granddchildren, D.J. Homan and Bridget Homan.
Services will be Saturday, December 1, 2018, at 11 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tony Richburg and Bro. Josh Odom officiating.
Interment will follow in Pineview Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Josh Odom, Derek Odom, Stephen Welch, Jacob Welch, Sonny Martin and Arthur Odom.
Family will receive friends Friday, November 30, 2018, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Blood Drives Upcoming At Tate, Northview, WFHS, Molino And Century
November 28, 2018
Several blood drives are upcoming in the North Escambia area.
The Big Red Bus will be at:
- Tate High School on Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
- West Florida High School on Friday from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
- Hillcrest Baptist Church on Sunday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
- Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Sunday from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.
- Highland Baptist Church on Sunday from noon until 3 p.m.
- Northview High School on Monday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Century Correctional Institution on December 10 from noon until 5 p.m.
OneBlood welcomes blood donations from donors 16 years old and older. Donors that are 16 years old must present a signed permission form from their parent or a guardian before the donation.
Pictured: The OneBlood Big Red Bus recently at the Molino Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.