Gulf Power Storm Team At Work In Puerto Rico
January 25, 2018
A 10-man storm team from Gulf Power is on the job in Puerto Rico, helping to restore power to the island. The crew arrived Saturday and, after their trucks had arrived by barge, started working with other Southern Company workers to restore power. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mary Alice McArthur Wilson
January 25, 2018
Mary Alice McArthur Wilson, 97, passed peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, to her heavenly home on January 23, 2018. She was born June 23, 1920, on a small farm in Botts (now Berrydale) Florida to Laura Annie (Lollie) Calhoun McArthur and John Oscar McArthur. In 1942 while working as a cashier at the B&G Grocery in Pensacola she met and married Clyde C. (Bill) Wilson (Lt. Commander US Navy) and they spent 30 years serving our country. She was a true Navy wife and hero to all that knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers (Doyle, J.W. and James) and three sisters (Kathryn, Lynn and Ruth).
She is survived by her son, Ron Wilson (Pat Ousley) of Blountville, TN; her daughter, Cathy Wilson Dean of Pensacola; three beloved grandchildren, Marcy Wilson Dhruv (Rohit), Wade Wison and Jared Wilson; and two special great-grandchildren, Elaina Rose Wilson and Reeva Kashmira Dhruv. Mary Alice leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends that she loved dearly and that loved her dearly.
She was a lifelong active member of the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) Church. For 97 years she was the rock of our family. A strong, independent and loving human being who spent her whole life caring for her family and friends. Always present for all of us, the matriarch and heart of our family. She especially wanted to thank her dear friends Bernice and Jim Warner, Dee Ingram, and Dr. Megumi Maguchi and Gracie. The family would also like to thank the aides
and nurses of Regency Hospice for their kindness.
Friends are invited to a visitation with the family on Saturday, January 27, 1010 from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North immediately followed by the service.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to a charity of your choice.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Ollie Jean Strength
January 25, 2018
Ollie Jean Strength, 75 of Atmore, AL, passed away January 24, 2018, in Atmore. She was born on December 10, 1942, in Escambia County, AL, to the late Ollie James and Allie Belle King Strength. She was a graduate of Escambia County High School Class of 1960 and attended Massey Draughon Business College graduating on June 16, 1961. She was a payroll clerk for Vanity Fair until it closed in 2001 and then she retired.
She is survived by her aunt, Joyce (Russell) Braswell of Atmore, AL, and uncle Shelby King of Flomaton, AL. She is also survived by her loving family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Robert Heard officiating.
Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Raymond Kimmons, Allen Sharpless, Aubrey Till, Hugh Long, Jed Dukes and Russell Braswell.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 26, 2018 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Senators Back Two Tax Holiday Periods For Hurricane Supplies
January 24, 2018
Floridians would be able to buy hurricane supplies without paying sales taxes during two weeks in June and July, under a bill approved by a key Senate committee.
The Finance and Tax Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously backed the proposal (SB 620), which would create tax “holidays” from June 1 through June 7 and from July 6 through July 12.
The bill includes numerous items that would be exempt from sales taxes during the periods, such as portable radios costing $75 or less; tarps costing $50 or less; gas or diesel fuel tanks costing $25 or less; cell-phone chargers costing $40 or less; carbon-monoxide detectors costing $75 or less; and portable generators costing $1,000 or less.
The annual six-month hurricane season starts June 1.
Finance and Tax Chairwoman Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said the two tax-free periods would cover the start of hurricane season and a later period when people start becoming more aware of hurricane threats.
“We all wait until we get the notice that the hurricane is upon us, and we all go and line up at Home Depot and there’s nothing left,” bill sponsor Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said. “So I think, having this in the back of our mind, we’re saving money, people will go ahead and buy the items ahead of time.”
The proposal is now slated to go to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Fire Inspections Skipped, Fire Extinguishers Removed From Town Of Century Buildings
January 24, 2018
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said he has 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 fire extinguishers that remain are out of date and have not had required inspections in over five years.
The community center, know as the “Ag Building” on West Highway 4 and the Century Business Center on Pond Street last had legally required annual fire inspections in 2012. Both buildings are rented to the public by the town as event spaces, including birthday parties, family reunions, weddings and the like, and both buildings contain kitchens. Additional buildings at the Century Business Center include office space, a portion of which is rented by the town to an attorney.
Fire extinguishers that were in the buildings were outdated and removed, Hawkins said.
“Somebody in their infinite wisdom took out all the fire extinguishers out of all the buildings, so I’ve told them to put them back in,” he said.
Hawkins also said the fire extinguishers inside the Century Town Hall have not been checked since 2012. Florida fire code specifies internal checks that must be done on fire extinguishers, plus an annual inspection.
“If we use the Ag Building and it catches fire, and the suppression system don’t work, we are up the creek. We are going to get major lawsuits,” Hawkins said.
The mayor said now that problem has been discovered, the town will make every effort to rectify the situation.
“But hold on to your purse strings,” Hawkins told council members.
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.
Hunter Killed In Accidental Shooting Identified As Alabama Man
January 24, 2018
A hunter died in an apparent accident in Escambia County (AL) Tuesday morning.
Darren Smith, age 45 of Daphne. was discovered deceased at a hunting club from an obvious gunshot wound in the Huxford community, near Prestwood Bridge Road, according to Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert.
Lambert said authorities believe Smith was accidentally shot by another hunter. Foul play is not suspected.
An investigation is underway by the Escambia County Alabama Sheriff’s Office and Alabama Game & Fish.
Escambia County Would Move To Eastern Time Zone Under Proposal
January 24, 2018
A move to put all of Florida, including Escambia County, in the same time zone, while following daylight-saving time throughout the year, got the backing of a Senate committee on Tuesday.
But even if the proposal receives approval from the full Legislature, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Congress would both have to act for the changes to occur.
The Senate Community Affairs Committee voted in favor of the proposal (SB 858), which seeks to put Panhandle counties in the same time zone as the rest of the state and for Florida to observe daylight-saving time all year. Much of the Panhandle is now in the Central time zone, while the rest of the state is in the Eastern time zone.
Sen. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican who is sponsoring the proposal, initially sought to have the state exempted from daylight-saving time and observe standard time throughout the year. But an amendment Tuesday moved the bill closer to a House version (HB 1013), which seeks year-round daylight-saving time.
Steube said his proposal originated when visiting a barber, who complained that having to set clocks back an hour in the fall had a negative impact on children and it’s “kind of created a life of its own.”
“If you look at statistics on when people typically shop, they typically shop during the daytime. Because some people aren’t real comfortable going to the mall, going to shops, when it’s dark outside,” Steube said. “I’ve heard from mayors from all across the state because they’re going to save money on softball fields because it will stay light later in the day.”
Daylight-saving time occurs between 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November of each year.
A Senate staff analysis noted that there would be “indeterminate” and “insignificant” costs tied to the change as people would have to reprogram computers and other electronic devices so the automatic change of clocks wouldn’t occur each spring and fall.
Under the bill, dubbed the “Sunshine Protection Act,” the U.S. transportation secretary would have to initiate rulemaking to redesignate the portions of Florida that currently lie within the Central time zone to the Eastern time zone. Congress would have to approve legislation to allow the state to remain under year-round daylight-saving time.
Steube’s proposal must still go before the Senate Commerce and Tourism and Rules committees.
The House version, which doesn’t include putting the Panhandle counties into the same time zone as the rest of the state, is scheduled to make its first appearance before the House Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Wednesday.
by Jim Turner The News Service of Florida
Byrneville Elementary Releases Honor Roll
January 24, 2018
Byrneville Elementary School named the following students to their honor roll for the second nine weeks of the school year:
Mrs.Barberree-Kindergarten
All Satisfactory:
- Tyrus Bradley
- Trusten Brown
- Lainey Dunsford
- Maggy Dunsford
- Madelyn Faulk
- Russell LeMesurier
- Hailey Levins
- Keaten Odom
- Sawyer Odom
- Cam’Ron Reed
Mrs. Seales-Kindergarten
All Satisfactory:
- Tyree Baker
- Zacharie Barrow
- Jayden Carter
- Kyle Lowery
- Alydia Sutton
- Zane Therrell
- Nevaeh Tidd
- Caesar Whorff
- Madyson Wiggins
Mrs. Slade-Kindergarten
All Satisfactory:
- Madison Brazwell
- Rilee Campbell
- Jameson Eli Evans
- Brian Madison
- Douglas Maxwell
- Kinsley McKinnon
- Bentley Sanders
- Maryann Tedder
- Jakiy’rah Thomas
Ms. Brown-1st Grade
“A” Honor Roll:
- Ethan Carter
- Allison Grant
- Bryce Miller
- Kaden Smith
- Ember Claire Waters
- Bryce Yoder
“A/B” Honor Roll:
- Landon Barrow
- Mazie Burkett
- McKenzie Griffis
- Ty Jackson
- Brandon Lambeth
- Brooklyn Miller
- Molly Powell
- Zi’nique Smith
Mrs. Kitchin-1st Grade
“A” Honor Roll:
- A/zariyah Elliott
- Olivia Levins
- Tyson Milliken
- Natalie Rogers
“A/B” Honor Roll:
- Clark Burt
- Anastasia Cooley
- Bryce Giger
- Carson Headden
- Dylen McCaw
- SaRai McKee
- Brody Rigby
- Layla Schoonover
Mrs. Linton-2nd Grade
“A” Honor Roll:
- Elizabeth Gilley
- Meeyah Lassiter
“A/B” Honor Roll:
- Jaxon Anderson
- Emma Godwin
- Katelyn Levins
- Olina Miles
- Lola Weldon
- Jeniyah Woods
Mrs. Moorhead-2nd Grade
“A” Honor Roll:
- Briley Beers
- Lyla Calloway
- Sierra Carnley
“A/B” Honor Roll:
- Nicholas Long
- Mason McKinnon
- Darien Smith
- Olivia Thomas
- Zane Weaver
- Cecelia Whorff
Mrs. Dunsford-3rd Grade
“A” Honor Roll:
- Aleah Livingston
- Jase Portwood
“A/B” Honor Roll:
- Valeria Franco
- Warner Maxwell
- Isaiah Phifer
- Trenton Wright
Mrs. Weaver-3rd Grade
“A” Honor Roll:
- Lexi Bingham
- Taylor Curtis
- Gabrielle Hawsey
- Layla Jordan
- Caleb Levins
- Cannon Whorff
- Allison Yoder
“A/B” Honor Roll:
- Michael Brazwell
- Kayden Harwell
- Preston Hudson
- Benji Parker
- Aleah Therrell
- Bonnie Trump
Mrs. Marshman-4th Grade
“A” Honor Roll:
- Elizabeth Coleman
- Luke Godwin
- Savannah Hudson
- Christian Velazquez
“A/B” Honor Roll:
- Cameron Bourgeois
- Tyler Carach
- Mary-Clayton Dawson
- Ryder Lee
- Makenzie Levins
- Easten Odom
- Bree Roberson
- Evelyn Smith
Mrs. Thornton-4th Grade
“A” Honor Roll:
- London Brooks
- Andrew Plant
- Braxton Wagner
- “A/B” Honor Roll:
- Jaycee Harvell
- Sawyer Jackson
- Hanah Lambeth
Mrs. Johnston-5th Grade
“A” Honor Roll:
- Evin Matlock
- Mia Turner-White
- Brian Yoder
“A/B” Honor Roll:
- Logan Bevins
- Zack Herndon
- Raegan Kimmons
- Mia Kornegay
- Allie Odom
Ms. Singleton-5th Grade
“A” Honor Roll:
- Maddie Mae Driskell
- Madison Levins
- Riley Long
- Addisen Miller
“A/B” Honor Roll:
- Kerrisa Dortch
- Jade Howell
- Kelan Jurey
- Adam Waller
Walnut Hill Woman Arrested For Possession Of Crack, Heroin And Meth
January 24, 2018
A Walnut Hill woman was arrested on multiple felony drug counts after a traffic stop in Pensacola.
Victoria Lynn Burkett, 30, was charged with three felony counts of a possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of crack cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine and four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Escambia County deputy on patrol stopped a Nissan Altima driven by Burkett on Fairfield Drive at Missin Road. An Escambia County K-9 gave a positive search indication on the vehicle, prompting a search. Deputies found a white rock that tested positive for cocaine, a crystal rock substance that had a presumptive positive test for methamphetamine, a small bag of crystal meth, two syringes containing liquids and spoon with residue, according to an arrest report.
Burkett was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $12,000 bond.
The PB&J sandwich: A Classic On National Peanut Butter Day
January 24, 2018
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich is as about as American as apple pie. National Peanut Butter Day was Jan. 24.
The average American schoolchild will consume about 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time he or she graduates from high school, according to the Peanut Advisory Board, a nonprofit organization dedicated to research on the nutritional value of peanuts.
Libbie Johnson, agricultural agent for UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County and co-organizer of the annual Peanut Butter Challenge for the Florida Panhandle, explained the popularity of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
“Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches taste so darn good,” Johnson said. “Or maybe because they require no refrigeration and are easy to prepare. They have enough sweetness to satisfy a sweet tooth, but they’re filling.”
Nan Jensen, a family and consumer sciences agent with UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County offers a more expansive explanation.
“It probably has to do with a combination of taste and nostalgia,” Jensen said. “The savory, gooey texture of peanut butter paired with sweet, sticky jelly served between two slices of your favorite bread make for a great flavor combination. Most of us grew up eating PB&J sandwiches — a lunch box staple — and the tradition has been passed down through the generations.”
But peanut butter’s value also lie in its nutrients, she said.
“While it is high in fat and calories, it is a healthier monounsaturated type, and you are getting some protein, magnesium, niacin, phosphorous and vitamin E for your calorie investment,” Jensen said.
Extension faculty suggest limiting intake to about 2 tablespoons – about 180 calories. Jensen offers additional advice to try to ensure people get nutrition without so much unhealthy trans fats and added sugar in their peanut butter: Buy peanut butter that is just ground peanuts with a hint of salt and one that doesn’t contain the partially hydrogenated fat and added sugars.
Consumers can do much more with peanut butter than make PB&J sandwiches. Jensen suggests some tasty, unique ways to use peanut butter:
- Put it in a smoothie.
- Make a sauce.
- Add it to soup.
- Bake with it.
- Use it as a dipper for fruit and veggies.