One Injured In East Roberts Road Wreck
February 23, 2020
At least one person was injured in a crash Sunday afternoon on Highway 95A at East Roberts Road. The injured person was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. Two other people involved in the wreck were not reported to be injured. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Burglars Strike At Local Funeral Home, Reward Offered For Their Arrest
February 23, 2020
A local funeral home is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the people responsible for burglarizing the business.
Mike Atwood, owner of Faith Chapel North at 1000 South Highway 29 said someone broke into a storage building last Thursday after the close of business. The burglary is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“There were two people. The lone person in the pictures came at around 2:30 – 3 p.m. while we were open for business and cased the place,” Atwood said. “He and a second person came back around 6:30 p.m. and broke in.”
Atwood said the vehicle caught on camera appears to a Lincoln pickup.
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Shot And Killed Saturday In Escambia County
February 23, 2020
A man was shot to death Saturday afternoon in Escambia County.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 800 block of Limoges Way in Montclair where they found 33-year old LaMarcus Fails deceased with multiple gunshot wounds.
The ECSO said the shooting was believed to be drug related, and their investigation is continuing. Investigators are looking for a dark gray Ford Festiva (pictured) in connection with the murder.
Anyone with information on the vehicle or the shooting is asked to call the ECSO or at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Local Rotary Clubs Pack 42,165 Meals For Manna To Fight Hunger
February 23, 2020
The Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola (CROP) packed 42,165 meals Saturday to fight hunger with the Manna food bank.
About 260 volunteers contributed to the project — time spent packing nutritious lentil casserole packets to provide much-needed food to those in need. According to Manna Executive Director DeDe Flounlacker, the project has become a critical part of their ability to meet the needs of the hungry throughout the year in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“The Rotary Against Hunger project provides much-needed food during the winter and early spring months when giving has decreased and need has increased,” said Flounlacker. “Last year, Manna provided food assistance to 19,499 people. Many are the working poor, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and moms and dads who do not have enough money to pay their bills and buy food for their family. Thanks to our Rotary friends, thousands of our neighbors in need will be given the gift of nutritious food.”
Since Rotary Against Hunger started in 2012, CROP has packed nearly 700,000 meals for the hungry.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Meet The Miss Jay Pageant Winners
February 23, 2020
The annual Miss Jay Pageant was held Saturday night.
Winners were:
- Miss Jay High: Emerson Walters
- Miss Jay Junior High: Jordan Sanders
- Miss Jay Elementary: Lanie Stephens
- Little Miss Jay: Lexie Smith
- Tiny Miss Jay: Paisley White
- Mini Miss Jay: Aubrie Davis
Photo courtesy Jay High School for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Traffic Delay Spots To Watch
February 23, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Temporary Road Closure between A Street and Tarragona Street- The road will be closed from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22 for Mardi Gras Parades. Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- 9th Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289), Martin Luther King/Alcaniz Street/Davis Highway (S.R. 291) and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Video Underground Sewer Lines- Drivers may experience intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, March 31.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (State Road (S.R.) 10 / U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday,
Feb. 23.- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating lane shifts as crews construct the new southbound bridge.
- U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Pensacola Bay (U.S. 98) Bridge Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Feb 23.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Road Repairs west of Chemstrand Road-The westbound lane will be closed Monday, Feb. 24 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews make repairs to the roadway.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29- New Market Street will experience intermittent road closures through Saturday, Feb. 29 as drainage work continues. Traffic is detoured to Parkside Street and Milestone Boulevard. Signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary closure and alternate route.
- · I-110 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Fairfield Drive (S.R. 295) - There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions, 3.6 miles south of I-10, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 and Monday, Feb. 24 as crews repair bridge joints.
- · U.S. 29 Underground Utility Operations from Kenmore Road to West Hoper Road- There will be intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Friday, Feb. 28.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – The far-right portion of the I-10 off ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp and will be in place for through March 2020.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)– Crews continue paving operations and median work. Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane restrictions. Motorists are reminded to watch for crews and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- · Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek- Crews continue roadway earthwork and preparations for base material. The roadway remains temporarily closed. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, are detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2020.
- C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Crews are paving the final layer of asphalt, grading, constructing concrete ditch pavement, and striping the roadway. Watch for workers and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Santa Rosa County:
- · U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Feb 23.
- · U.S. 90 Corridor (Pace) Management Improvement Project- Crews are currently working on drainage improvements at Sanford Street. East and westbound lane closures will be in effect at Bostic Lane and Sanford Street from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Construction activities continue at the following seven locations: Villa Woods Circle to Marble Court, Oriole Beach Road, Grand Ride Circle to Fordham Parkway, El Rito Drive/College Parkway, American Avenue, Alpine Avenue, and west of Ortega park Drive. Crews activities continue. Workers are preparing base material for paving to begin at the Days Inn moving westward. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay- There will be shoulder closures throughout the project limits for roadway and utility work.
- · S.R. 87 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Manning Creek- There will be northbound lane restrictions 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 for routine bridge maintenance.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter daytime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
- · S.R. 87 Turn Lane and Median Modifications at South Lynn Road- Operations are taking place in the median. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane closures.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Local Students Selected For EREC Washington Youth Tour
February 23, 2020
Two area high school students have been selected to represent Escambia River Cooperative on 2020 Washington Youth Tour in June. They are Amber Gilman from Northview High School and Katelyn Mayo from Jay High School.
Judges from PowerSouth Energy Cooperative in Andalusia, AL, and Southern Pine Electric Cooperative in Brewton, AL, scored contestants in their interviews based on their knowledge of Escambia River Electric Cooperative and the history of rural electrification. Personal attributes of each candidate such as character, academic ability, personality and leadership skills were also considered.
Gilman and Mayo will also have the chance learn about the nation’s capital, rural electrification and more.
Pictured: Amber Gilman from Northview High School (left) and Katelyn Mayo from Jay High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Milton 4-2 In Saturday Afternoon Game
February 23, 2020
The Tate Aggie defeated the Milton Panthers 4-2 Saturday afternoon.
Ethan George tossed took the win for the Aggies allowing no hits, no runs and striking out one. Cole Fryman tossed two innings allowing one hit and striking out four. Josiah Glodfelter pitched four innings, allowing two runs and striking out three.
At the plate for the Aggies: Jadon Fryman 2-1, R; Chase Tolbert RBI; Jordan Jarman R; Adam Nisewonger 1-2, RBI; Drew Reaves R, Frankie Randall, R.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Crystal Tolbert, click to enlarge.
Nice Sunday, Rain Returns By Monday
February 23, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 51. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Monday: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 9am. High near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 31.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
James (Jimmy) Dean
February 23, 2020
James (Jimmy) Dean entered the gracious home of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of February 22, 2020.
He was born on June 27, 1966 in Atmore, AL to Shelvia Keel Dean and Robert Earl Dean. He attended Escambia County High School where he lettered in baseball and football. He was a member of the 1983 state championship football team. The Blue Devils went 13-2 that season to take the 3A state title, an accomplishment that Jimmy was forever proud to be a part of. After graduating in the spring of 1984, Jimmy pursued a collegiate baseball career that began at Patrick Henry Junior College, where he led the team in hitting his freshman year. He then transferred to the University of Montevallo for a short time before finishing his career at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). He was named Offensive Player of the Year while at AUM.
Jimmy was a respected law enforcement officer with over 25 years of experience, serving the city of Atmore, the state of Alabama, and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. In 1995, he became a graduate of the Alabama State Trooper Academy Class 94-A. He served the State of Alabama for 22 years, retiring in 2016. Shortly following his retirement, he continued to serve his community as a Tribal Police Officer with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Jimmy played many roles in many lives. Aside from his role within his family, Jimmy was a friend, coach, and servant of God, something he proclaimed until his death. His personality, selflessness, and genuine care for others attracted so many over the years. His ability to make people laugh will forever be remembered. The stories are endless and will forever be held dear to our hearts.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his father, Robert Earl Dean; maternal grandmother and grandfather, Carolyn Louise Keel and J.C. Keel; paternal grandmother and grandfather, Edna Earl Sadler and Robert Comer Sadler, Jr.; daughter, Maggie Pearl Caraway; and father-in-law, John A. McGhee.
He is survived by his mother, Shelvia Keel Dean of Atmore; one brother, Ricky Dean of Atmore; one sister, Jena (Perry) Duke of Mobile; wife, Kimberly Dean of Atmore; three sons, Jon (Malori) Dean of Atmore, James (Emily) Dean of Atmore, and Mason (Catie) Dean of Atmore; one daughter, Miranda (Brandon) Hudson of Atmore; two grandchildren, Porter James Dean and Carson Elizabeth Johnson, both of Atmore; and numerous other extended family members, close friends, and his Alabama State Trooper Family.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the McCullough Christian Center with Rev. Josh Long and Bro. Don Davis officiating.
Burial will follow at Serenity Garden Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 6 to 9 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Doug Darby, John Fields, Willie Locke, Brian McGill, John Stallworth, Justin Williams, Craig Helton and Norman McCallister.
Honorary Pallbearers will be the Poarch Creek Tribal Police Department and all other Law Enforcement and First Responders.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama.