Fire Destroys Home Near Berrydale, Lightning Possibly To Blame
February 12, 2018
Fire destroyed a mobile home near Berrydale in northern Santa Rosa County early Sunday afternoon, and it may have been sparked by lightning.
Firefighters were dispatched to the home on Sutton Allen Road about 12:30 p.m. and arrived to find the residence full involved.
No one was at home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire was under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshals Office.
The Berrydale, Jay and Allentown volunteer fire departments, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and Lifeguard Ambulance responded to the blaze.
Faith Christian Academy in Jay is collecting donations and gift cards to assist the family.
Photos courtesy Berrydale VFD for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Camellias 101′ Program Tuesday Night In Molino
February 12, 2018
Camellias were being sold in Pensacola in 1825 — that’s just one of the facts attendees will learn during a “Camellia 101″ program Tuesday evening at the Molino Branch Library.
Join Skip Vogelsang, vice president of the Pensacola Camellia Club as he presents an introduction to one of the South’s favorite flower at 6:30 p.m.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
February 12, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of February 12-16:
Monday, Feb. 12
Selection Committee Public Works Director Interviews – 8:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Amalgamated Transit Union 1395 Collective Bargaining – 10 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Marine Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Mass Transit Dependent Special District Town Hall – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Tuesday, Feb. 13
Amalgamated Transit Union 1395 Collective Bargaining (if necessary) – 10 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Co:Lab Policy Board Meeting – 11 a.m., 418 W. Garden St., Pensacola
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – Audit Committee and Board Meeting – 5 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St., Ste. 310
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., 420 W. Chase St.
District 4/Ferry Pass Town Hall Meeting – 6 p.m., 8355 Yancey Lane
Wednesday, Feb. 14
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach (Agenda)
Thursday, Feb. 15
Attorney/Client Session: Sheriff’s Budget Appeal – 8 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place (Agenda)
BCC Agenda Review Session – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Friday, Feb. 16
Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Charles Thomas Huffines
February 12, 2018
Charles Thomas Huffines, 76 of Walnut Hill, FL, passed away February 9, 2018, at his residence. He was born to the late Clarence Huffines and Jewel Webb Huffines on December 10, 1941, in Franklin, KY. He served in the United States Navy on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Vietnam War. He was in the truck business for many years. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jenene Farmer.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Thrower Huffins of Walnut Hill, FL; two daughters, Kimberly Flurnoy of Atmore, AL and Shanna Huffines of Walnut Hill, FL; and one son, Doug (Leah) Vickery, Jr. of Flomaton, AL; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 11, 2018, at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel.
Burial will follow in Little Rock Holiness Cemetery with military honors.
Active pallbearers will be his grandsons.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Devon Hooks
February 12, 2018
Devon Hooks, age 86, of Pensacola, was called home February 9, 2018. He was born December 19, 1931, in Red Level, AL, to the late Roy and Georgia Hooks. He worked as an electrician for Monsanto and was an avid golfer.
He is survived by his cherished wife, Sharon Ann Hooks; daughter, Sherry Nims; and a host of others left to cherish his memory.
Memorial visitation will be Thursday, February 15, 2018, at First Pentecostal Church of Pensacola, 6500 North W Street, Pensacola FL 32505, from 9:30 a.m. until the memorial service begins at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Brian Kinsey will officiate.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Sara Ann Boone Johnson
February 12, 2018
Mrs. Sara Ann Boone Johnson, age 85, of Flomaton, Alabama, passed away Friday, February 9, 2018, in a Atmore, Alabama nursing facility after a brief illness. She was a native of Lafayfette, Alabama and a long time resident of Flomaton, Alabama. Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Little Escambia Baptist Church and a member of the Eastern Star. She was retired from Monsanto with 35 years of service, and former owner of The Garden Spot.
Survivors include her two sons, Melvin (Pam) Johnson of Flomaton, Alabama and Jason (Rebecca) Johnson of Fredericksburg, Virginia; one daughter, Marilyn Wilson of Flomaton, Alabama; one brother, Combs C. Johnson of Pensacola, Florida; four grandchildren, Sara Johnson, Caleb Johnson, Janey Johnson and Jenna Johnson; and a number of great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Edwin F. Johnson and sister, Nancy Boone Rollins.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2015, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Hogg officiating.
Interment will follow in Pineview Cemetery in Brewton, Alabama.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton is directing.
Margaret Wacks
February 12, 2018
Margaret Wacks, age 69, of Seminole, AL was called to her peace, Thursday, February 8, 2018, with her family by her side. She was born December 19, 1948, in Foley, AL to the late Oscar and Lillian Wells. Margaret was known for the time she spent as a nurse but was most proud of her role as a mother and grandmother. Margaret loved her trips to the casinos in Atmore and Biloxi, and waking up to a cup of good coffee. She also cherished family trips to the beach.
Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Terence J. Wacks; her parents; and her brother, Roger Wells.
Those left to cherish her memory are her loving companion, Billy Davidson; her children, Tammaney K. (Rob) Willmann of Denver, CO, Courtney M. (Kevin) Marsh and Terence James (Dawn) Wacks II, of Loxley, AL; grandchildren, Cameron Marsh, Lilly Willmann, Madelon Harrison, Braden Marsh, Ashton Harrison, Kai Willmann and Emma Wacks; sisters, Peggy Merchant, Sandra Britt, Jackie Melton and Judy Gaines; brother, Darrell Wells; and a host of cherished extended family and friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday, February 13, 2018, from 1 p.m. until the service begins at 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Margaret’s family has arranged for a private cremation to follow services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Century Fails To Comply With Required Fire Safety Requirements, Inspection Findings
February 11, 2018
A fire marshal inspection found multiple violations at a Century-owned community center, and the town failed to comply with required repairs, according county reports.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said at a recent town council meeting that he discovered buildings operated by the town of Century have not had required fire safety inspections since 2012 and community centers have been operated with the fire extinguishers removed. And he sad at that time extinguishers that remain are out of date and have not had required inspections in over five years.
NorthEscambia.com obtained the most recent fire inspection, dated November 6, on the “Ag Building” community center on West Highway 4. The fire inspection found the sprinkler system, fire alarm and fire extinguishers need to be inspected. The fire inspector also found emergency lights to be inoperative and ceiling tile that needs replacing in an electrical room.
The town was given two weeks from the November 6 report to correct the violations, and a follow-up inspection was scheduled for November 20.
According to Escambia Fire Rescue’s Fire Prevention Division, an inspector contacted the mayor’s office prior to the follow-up inspection date, but he was told the repairs had not yet been addressed. A compliance inspection was never performed.
“Generally when a business receives a violations notice, they are allotted 10 business days to address the violations. After that time, a compliance inspection is conducted to verify repairs have been made. In certain situations, the business is given additional time to have the repairs completed,” according to Escambia Fire Rescue.
According to a county spokesperson, other town-owned buildings such as the town hall and the Century Business Center have not had recent fire inspector visits.
At a Century Town Council meeting last week, Hawkins said he would be purchasing new fire extinguishers.
Pictured: A crowd attends Martin Luther King Day event inside the Ag Building in Center on Monday, January 15. According to the mayor, the building has not had a required fire safety inspection since 2012 and fire extinguishers were removed from the facility. Pictured below: The Century Business Center. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Rain, Thunderstorms Today
February 11, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 73. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Sunday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Good Times Roll With Pensacola Mardi Gras Parade (With Gallery)
February 11, 2018
The Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade rolled through the streets of downtown Saturday before a crowd of tens of thousands.
For a photo gallery click here.
Photos courtesy City of Pensacola for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
