Election Results: Commission, School Board, ECUA, Pensacola Mayor, County Judge
August 29, 2018
Escambia County Commission
In Escambia County Commission District 2, incumbent Doug Underhill won the Republican nomination over challenger Allen McMillan. He will face Democratic nominee Scott Trotter in November.
In District 4, Robert Bender won the Republican nomination over five challengers. He will face a write-in candidate in November.
Escambia County School Board
Incumbent Escambia County School Board member Kevin Adams (pictured above at his victory party) was reelected in District 1 with a 61.6 percent majority of the vote over Marjorie White.
There will be a runoff for the District 2 school board seat. Paul Fetsko had 37.3 percent of the vote, 35.5 percent for Ray Guillory and 27.2 percent for Kells Hetherington.
In the District 3 Escambia County School Board Race, Laura Edler and Larry Williams will meet in a runoff in November. Elder had 40.8 percent of the vote to 30.9 percent for Williams. Walker Wilson received 17.6 percent, and Lee Hansen had 10.7 percent.
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
For the District 4 seat on the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, longtime incumbent Dale Perkins, with 55.3 percent of votes, defeated Charles Bare. Perkins will face non-party candidate C.J. Lewis in November.
Pensacola Mayor, Council Seat 4
There will be a runoff between Grover Robinson, who received 34.2 percent of the votes cast Tuesday, and Brian Spencer who had 20.7 percent of the vote.
Jared Moore and Chris Phillips will be on the runoff ballot in November for the District 4 Pensacola City Council post.
County Judge Group 2
Incumbent Joyce Williams received just 600 votes more than challenger Paul Hamlin for Escambia County judge in Tuesday’s election.
House District 2
Republican Alex Andrade won House District 2. There were no Democratic candidates on the ballot.
Gillum Pulls Off Upset In Democratic Governor’s Race
August 29, 2018
In what could be one of the biggest upsets in recent political history in Florida, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum won Tuesday’s Democratic primary for governor, setting up a battle against Republican Ron DeSantis in November.
Gillum, 39, captured more than 34 percent of the vote, compared to former Congresswoman Gwen Graham’s 31.4 percent.
A crowd of supporters assembled at The Hotel Duval in Tallahassee was exuberant as election results showed Gillum slowly making gains on Graham throughout the evening, chanting “Bring it home” and “I believe we will win.”
Gillum told the crowd that the race wasn’t about him.
“This race is about every last single one of us,” he said
Gillum has long been considered a rising star in the Florida Democratic Party but trailed in the polls in a crowded primary that featured Graham, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, Winter Park entrepreneur Chris King and Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene.
But Gillum’s campaign gained momentum in after picking up endorsements from progressive icon U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, and financial backing from billionaires Tom Steyer and George Soros.
At a concert venue in downtown Orlando, hundreds of Graham supporters appeared stunned by the election results as it became clear that Gillum had bested Graham, the daughter of former Gov. Bob Graham who was long considered the frontrunner in the race.
“He represents the future in many ways,” Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, a former state representative, told The News Service of Florida at Graham’s election-night watch party.
Gillum, who would be Florida’s first black governor if elected in November, trailed in the polls and in fundraising over more than a year of campaigning.
“What has made Andrew’s campaign so powerful is that he’s not just working hard to win an election, he has laid out a vision for a new course for the state of Florida and our country. No one person can take on the economic and political elites on their own. Tonight, Floridians joined Andrew in standing up and demanding change in their community. That’s what the political revolution is all about and Andrew Gillum is helping to lead it,” Sanders said in a statement following Gillum’s primary victory.
Tuesday’s primary set the stage for what will be one of the most closely watched races in the country, as Democrats try to flip the governor’s mansion after being shut out of power for nearly two decades.
Each of the Democratic gubernatorial wannabes harped on a theme of being the best-situated candidate to recapture the governor’s office and rekindle the dominance Democrats held for a century in the Sunshine State.
With support from national groups backing black candidates and progressive politicians, Gillum laid out a campaign strategy relying on “black voters, brown voters, younger voters and poor voters,” he told The News Service of Florida in an interview this month.
Greene, a latecomer to the race who poured nearly $38 million of his own money into the primary campaign, insisted that he was the only Democrat who could outspend Republicans. Greene also pledged to unfold his wallet to aid Democrats, who consistently have been outraised and outspent by the GOP, up and down the ballot.
After continuing to trail in the polls, however, Greene appeared to pull the plug on his campaign in the days leading up to Tuesday’s primary. Greene on Monday canceled a planned election-night watch party at his Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa in Palm Beach. In a statement issued by his campaign, the candidate said he instead was going to watch the election results at home with his wife and three young children.
Levine, who was shown in some polls as running neck-and-neck with Graham as the election neared, also maintained that he would be the strongest Democrat to take on the Republican contender in November.
Congratulating Gillum on his primary victory, Levine called the Tallahassee mayor “a fierce fighter who has what it takes to lead our state forward, and he can count on my help every step of the way.”
Throughout more than a year on the campaign trail, Levine consistently pointed to successes racked up during his tenure as mayor of the popular South Florida destination to support his pitch for governor. But naysayers contended many of his claims were unfounded, and his critics, including Greene, accused him of being a bully.
Levine took credit for addressing sea-level rise, by installing pumps and raising roads, as one of his major accomplishments as mayor. Miami Beach spent $500 million to install the pumps, but some scientists later blamed the pumps for dumping fecal matter into the shores off South Beach. The analysis prompted outrage from Levine, who called the report “sloppy science” and disparaged the Miami Herald for its reporting on the issue.
Levine also took credit for raising the minimum wage in Miami Beach — an effort that’s been tied up in court — and for reforming what he called a “broken” police department. He’s also been praised for advancing policies that earned the city perfect scores for LGBTQ inclusiveness.
But the former Miami Beach mayor quickly rallied behind Gillum on Tuesday night.
“This is a fight for the future of our state and the soul of our nation, and it’s a fight that we are going to win. We’re going to elect Andrew Gillum, the first black governor in the history of the state of Florida, re-elect Senator Bill Nelson, and win seats up and down the ballot — we will rise to the occasion and take back our state! Democrats, let’s get this done,” Levine said in a statement.
In the 2018 midterm elections many have deemed the “year of the woman,” Graham played up her role as a PTA mom who once worked for Leon County schools.
Graham, who was both mocked and revered for her predilection for hugging, delivered one of the most memorable lines of the Democrats’ campaign season during an April debate in Tampa.
“I seem to be the one,” she sighed, after being attacked by two of her opponents. “It’s Gwen and the men.”
At a July debate in Fort Myers, Graham used a bright pink blazer as a prop as she stood beside her four dark-suited rivals.
“You may notice I look a little different than my other friends up here on the stage,” she said, adding that she’s “a mom” and a “PTA president.”
King tried to appeal to progressive Democrats as the candidate with the most “bold” agenda.
King — whose conversation is peppered with “transformational,” “big ideas,” and “bold” — tried but failed to make inroads in an election dominated by candidates with deeper pockets and national backing.
The 39-year-old King, however, took credit for changing the shape of the governor’s race, starting with laying the groundwork for nearly all candidates — with the exception of Republican Adam Putnam — to refuse money from U.S. Sugar, the powerful “special interest” many critics blame for contributing to an outbreak of toxic algal blooms on both coasts.
An earnest and enthusiastic father of three young children, King told the News Service this month he was in the race to win but at the same time acknowledged it’s an “uphill race” for him.
“I’ve got two gazillionaires I’m running against,” he said, referring to Greene and Levine. He called Graham “the daughter of one of the great political icons” who “was one of my idols,” referring to former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: Andrew Gillum watches election returns Tuesday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
August 29, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Labor Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Northview, Jay Split Volleyball Matches
August 29, 2018
The Northview Lady Chiefs and the Jay Lady Royals split volleyball matches Tuesday at Northview.
The junior varsity Chiefs defeated Jay 25-7, 25-10.
The varsity Royals beat the Chiefs 25-8, 25-23, 28-26.
Northview will travel to T.R. Miller Thursday beginning at 4 p.m., while Jay Will be at Flomaton Thursday beginning at 4 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Hunter A. Paxson
August 29, 2018
Hunter A. Paxson, 19, of Eagle, NE passed away August 13, 2018. He was born September 5, 1998, in Pensacola, FL. He was a college student seeking a doctorate in Psychology. He also worked at GSK in Lincoln, NE. Hunter founded MFAB (Midwest Friends Against Bullying and to date has over 800 members). He worked with several Autism Societies, Anti Bullying Groups and spoke at numerous high schools across the midwest. He won state in competitive speech in Iowa in 2015 with his speech describing what it was like to live with autism. In addition, Hunter worked with the governors’ offices in both Iowa and Nebraska to write the current anti-bullying bill.
Family members include his beloved companion and pet “Puggy”; parents, Marcus and Jessica Peacock-Hellwege; brother and best friend, Bailey Paxson; sister, Christina Paxson; cousins, Kyle (Auriana) Peacock; Nana, Norma Peacock; Papa, James (Julie) Peacock; Grammy, Carol Paxson; grandfather, Ken (Billie) Paxson; great-grandmother, Mawmaw, Elaine Baggett; and Christopher Paxson; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.
He is preceded in death by Great-Granny and Papa Peacock; Great-Grandfather, Burl Milstead; Great-Grandmother, Blanche Prusha; and cousin, Tony Petersohn.
A memorial service will be held September 1, 2018, at 11 a.m at Harvest Christian Center, 1095 Muscogee Road in Cantonment, with pastor’s John Whitaker and Derek Lewis officiating.
Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, 1, 2018, at Harvest Christian Center.
Flowers will be received at Harvest Christian Center and/or memorials can be made to:
Autism Family Network of Lincoln Nebraska
Hunters ashes will be spread at his family’s home in a special memory garden built for him. This will be a private service per the family’s request.
Victoria June Roberts
August 29, 2018
Victoria June Roberts, 60, of Pensacola, Florida, was called Home by our Lord on August 21, 2018. She was born to Harmon Edwards and Beverly Reamer Watson on April 14, 1958, in Pensacola. Vicki was an extremely gracious woman, who was selfless and generous to all she knew. Her passion for helping others shown through wherever she went. Vicki was an army veteran who served honorably in Berlin in the early 1980’s. She then trained to become a registered nurse and began a career as a traveling nurse for a number of years, before settling down in Pensacola, where she worked at all of the major hospitals, specializing in OB/GYN and mother/baby units. An ardent volunteer, she especially loved participating in the annual Relay for Life. Vicki was a valued member of the Baptist Hospital nursing staff and was beloved by all her co-workers and treated them as her second family. Stoic in resolve, yet compassionate in her care giving, Vicki helped many a newborn baby into this world during her life. She had been recognized countless times, by patients, for her professional and loving care of both mother and child. She was ardently devoted to all of her family and especially daughter, Alhena and granddaughter, Emma Rose who were the lights of her life.
Survived to mourn her loss are her mother, Beverly Watson; husband, Donnie Roberts; daughter, Alhena Roberts; grandchild, Emma Rose Frantz, all of Pensacola; stepchildren, Erika Stewart (Matthew) of Indianapolis, IN, Evan Roberts (Meisha) of Bedford, IN, and Elli Roberts (Drew) of California, MD; sister, Jennifer Edwards and son, Austin of Orange Park, FL; brothers, David Edwards (Tami), and Chip Edwards of Pensacola. Her loss is also felt by niece, Tiffany Edwards; nephew, David Edwards Jr. of Pensacola; and her loving family at Baptist Hospital.
We need not weep for Vicki, for she is in Heaven with our Lord and Savior. Although the pain we feel from losing such a genuinely kind woman will last forever, we should look back on the memories fondly and smile, for that is exactly what she would want us to do.
A celebration of Vicki’s life will be held at Calvary Bible Fellowship, 10460 Motley Court, Pensacola, FL on September 15, 2018, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Wylonette Etheridge
August 29, 2018
Wylonette “Lynn” Etheridge, age 74, a resident of Saraland, Alabama passed away peacefully with her family at her side Friday, August 24, 2018. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mrs. Etheridge was born July 16, 1944 in Canoe, AL.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ellie Monroe “Buck” Rowell, Janie E. Rowell; her brother, George Almas Rowell.
Mrs. Etheridge is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Wenton “Bill” Etheridge of Saraland, AL; son, Paul Etheridge (Angie) of Saraland, AL; daughters, Kimberly Jones (Kerman), Amy Baxter (Franklin), both from Auburn, AL; nephew, George Rowell of Saraland; grandchildren, Nichole Dunklin (Michael), Wesley Etheridge (Gabby), Kalli Jones, Konnor Jones, Sidney Baxter, and Maggie Baxter; great-grandchildren, Seth Dunklin, Brianna Dunklin, Raelyn Dunklin, and Talitha Etheridge; siblings, Claudia Bradford, Ann James, Quinton Rowell, and Pauline Olson.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at Oak Hill Cemetery Atmore, AL with Bro. Chris Reed officiating.
Active pallbearers were Wesley Etheridge, Konnor Jones, George Rowell, Michael Dunklin, Lee Etheridge, Robert Etheridge.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Escambia County Election Results
August 28, 2018
Complete, but unofficial, election results from Escambia County:
Two Candidates In Runoff For Century Town Council Seat
August 28, 2018
There will be a runoff for Century Town Council Seat Seat 4 between Mary Hudson Bourgeois and James Smith, Jr. after no candidate received half the vote Tuesday. They will be on the November ballot.
Complete, but unofficial vote totals from Tuesday’s election are:
- James Smith, Jr. – 160
- Mary Hudson Bourgeois – 146
- Brian Johnston – 19
Incumbent Gary Riley tearfully announced in May that he would not seek re-election to the seat he has held for 20 years.
Escambia Deputy Injured In Highway 29 Traffic Crash
August 28, 2018
[Updated] An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was injured in traffic crash Tuesday afternoon on Highway 29 at Well Line Road in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 79-year old Rose Coval of Cantonment was stopped on Well Line Road when she pulled her 2014 Chevrolet directly into the path of an ECSO Tahoe that was southbound on Highway 29. The deputy, 32-year old Jerome Zaid, received minor injuries and was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Coval and her 17-year old passenger were not injured.
Coval was cited by the FHP for violation of right of way.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
