Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
January 2, 2020
Ransom Middle School has named their winter Students of the Month for December and January. They are Sofia Martinez and Jackson Shelnut. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Get Your GED In 2020 At The Molino Library
January 2, 2020
Area residents can obtain their GED during the new year in Molino.
Ged classes will be held at the Molino Community Center every Monday and Thursday from 6-8 p.m. beginning January 9. This is an open enrollment program, so students may enroll anytime during the semester.
Classes are actively taught by certified teachers and personalized instruction is given based on each individual student’s academic level. Tuition is $30 per semester.
Contact Patricia Harrison at George Stone at (850) 941-6200 ext. 2361 for more information. Visit georgestonecenter.com to register.
What Will The Price Of Gas Be In 2020? AAA Offers Predictions
January 2, 2020
AAA is offering their projections for gas prices in 2020.
“Looking forward, gas prices in 2020 are likely to follow a similar trend as in 2019; with price hikes in the spring, then a steady decline through the fall,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. “Looking at futures prices, Florida gasoline could average around $2.50 per gallon in the first quarter, then jump 20-30 cents in the spring as refiners conduct seasonal maintenance and switch to summer gasoline. From there, gas prices decline slowly from July-September, then more rapidly through the end of the year. Based on current projections, Florida’s state average could finish 2020 in the $2.30 price range.”
Gas prices in 2019 averaged less than the year before. Prices at the pump averaged nearly $2.50 per gallon in 2019. That’s 15 cents per gallon less than the annual average in 2018, but 13 cents more than what drivers paid in 2017.
As of Wednesday, the average price per gallon was $2.45 across Florida, $2.50 in Escambia County and $2.43 in Cantonment.
Escambia County Had 13 House Fires In December 2019. That’s Nearly Twice As Many As 2018.
January 2, 2020
There were nearly twice as many residential fires in Escambia County during December 2019 than during December 2018.
The county tracks fires during December for the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign, which places one red bulb per fire on large wreaths at fire stations across the county. There were 13 reb bulbs representing 13 residential fires during December 2019. The 2018 campaign concluded with seven red bulbs.
One of the 13 fires during December 2019 was in North Escambia. A predawn fire destroyed a Byrneville home in the 1500 block of West Highway 4 on December 12. Everyone in the home escaped without injury due to working smoke alarms and a dog alerting the family.
There were no injuries or deaths reported during the campaign.
If your home does not have a working smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
Pictured above: The “Keep the Wreath Green” wreath during December at the McDavid Fire Station. Pictured below: A residential fire early the morning of December 12 in Byrneville. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Andrea Dale Hall Couch
January 2, 2020
Andrea Dale Hall Couch passed away at the age of 52 on December 29, 2019.
Andrea was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 9, 1967. Andrea was adopted by her loving parents, James (Buddy) and Laura Hall when she was 19 nineteen months old and quickly became known as “Angel Baby” to her family and friends. She was raised in Cottage Hill, Florida. Andrea always had a smile on her face and was the joy to those she came in contact with.
Andrea was active in baton-twirling and cheer in her community during her youth and attended Cottage Hill Baptist Church with her family. She loved the Lord and trusted in him from her youth and remained strong in her faith throughout her life.
On May 19, 2017, Andrea married the love of her life, Michael Couch.
She enjoyed reading, music, and football, but her favorite moments were spent with her husband, dog Terra, and her family.
Andrea is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Bill and Annie Hall; maternal grandmother, Daisy Grimm; and mother-in-law, Betty Ann Hammonds.
She is survived by her husband, Michael Lee Couch; father, James Edward Hall; mother, Laura Othelia Hall; brothers, James Edward Hall II and Ronald Chaffin Hall; biological sisters, Kim, Melissa, and Lisa; biological brother, Robbie; and many nieces and nephews.
Philippians 1:6: “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Thursday, December 2, 2020 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Bill Heiden officiating. Interment will follow in Elizabeth Chapel.
The family will receive friends from 10AM to 11AM at the funeral home.
James J. Hawthorne
January 2, 2020
James J. Hawthorne, 68, went home to be with Jesus on December 29, 2019. James is a winner! He fought the good fight, finished his course and he kept the faith. He will be dearly missed by all of us that must travel on this road of life.
He is preceded in death by his father, James R. Hawthorne; mother, Mattie Lee Bass Hawthorne; brothers and sisters: Edward Hawthorne, Ann Blanton, Aubrey Hawthorne, Ray Hawthorne, and Betty Sue Hawthorne.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon C. Hawthorne; sisters, Irene Joyner and Loretta (Tommy) McCrory; sister-in law, Ruth Hawthorne; son, Brandon (Tanya) Holt; grandchildren: Ryan Holt, Matthew (Elizabeth) Holt, Laura Holt, and Justic Brewton; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral will be held at Brownsdale Baptist Church on Friday, January 3, 2020. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until the service begins at 2:00 pm. Brother Bobby Carnley and Jeff Leake will officiate. Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton has been entrusted with arrangements.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Holt, Matthew Holt, Justic Brewton, Paul McCrory, Justin Landers, Aaron Fillingjim, Larry Hawthorne, Roger Nowling and Frank Lowry.
The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at West Florida Hospital who cared for him with dignity and compassion. Also, we would like to thank those at Covenant Hospice for the tender care they provided James and the love and compassion shown to the family.
Mary June Townson
January 2, 2020
Mrs. Mary June Townson, age 75, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at her home in Enterprise, Alabama.
Mrs. Townson was a native of Canoe, AL, former longtime resident of Atmore, AL and had resided in Enterprise, AL for the past 2 months. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was of the Pentecostal Faith. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Townson; mother, Louise Henderson; father, Burl Weeks; sister, Frances Ledkins and brother, Robert Weeks.
She is survived by her three daughters, Tammy Woods of Enterprise, AL, Sherry Lambert of Evergreen, AL and Diane (Artie) Godwin of Evergreen, AL; one brother, Bobby (Mary) Weeks of Saraland, AL; three sisters, Wanda (Johnny) Mosley of Andalusia, AL, Glenda Godwin of Oak Grove, FL and Betty (Braxton) Thomley of Perdido, AL; thirteen grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel with Rev. Angelo Thomley and Bro. Michael Hadley officiating.
Burial will follow at Traveler’s Rest Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020 from 12:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Adam Bishop, Ryan Holt, Matthew Holt, Colton Lambert, Aaron Bishop, Jacob Bishop and Jonathon Bishop.
Florida Texting And Driving Ban Enforcement Begins With The New Year
January 1, 2020
Enforcement begins today, January 1, 2020, of Florida’s new law banning texting and driving.
Motorists can be stopped and cited for using wireless communications devices while their vehicle is in motion. The ban includes manually entering multiple letters, numbers of characters of kind while sending or receiving a text, email and instant messaging while the vehicle is moving.
The law went into effect July 1, 2019, changing enforcement of the ban from a secondary offense to a primary offense – enabling law enforcement officers to stop a vehicle solely for texting while driving.
School zones and active construction zones are considered hands free. Drivers can use Bluetooth, but cannot pick up their device.
Exemptions exist for autonomous vehicles, emergency vehicles, reporting emergency situations or crime activity. Additional exemptions exist while activating a hands free function, receiving messages related to navigation, date used primarily by vehicle, radio broadcasts and alerts pertaining to safety including traffic and weather.
Law enforcement cannot forcefully seize or search a communication device without first obtaining driver consent or a warrant. They must first inform their right to decline a search of their device. Warrants for device records are only obtainable when a diver is involved in a crash causing injury or a fatality.
Happy New Year! Rain By Thursday
January 1, 2020
Happy New Year! Here your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a low around 51. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 64. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 67. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Escambia County Records 13th Residential Fire Of December
January 1, 2020
Escambia County Fire Rescue has placed an additional red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath, representing 13 structure fires during December. Last year’s campaign concluded with seven red bulbs.
The thirteenth fire occurred in the 4500 block of Lighthouse Lane on Tuesday. Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call at 11:52 a.m. about a residential structure fire. Firefighters arrived on scene and saw smoke and flames showing from the door of the single story house. Firefighters quickly performed an aggressive fire attack in the kitchen, which prevented further damage to the rest of the structure.
ECFR and the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations found that a faulty power supply area in the back of the dishwasher apparently caused the fire.
If your home does not have a working smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.