Northview Criminal Justice Program Tours Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
February 24, 2020
Students from the Northview High School Criminal Justice Program recently visited the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
After an introduction from Sheriff David Morgan and Chief Deputy Chip Simmons, the students visited the crime scene division, dispatch and ended their tour with a demonstration from the Escambia County Mounted Posse.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Drift Lower After Midweek Hike
February 24, 2020
Florida gas prices jumped an average of 10 cents per gallon last week before drifting downward by a penny.
The average price per gallon across the state was $2.41 Sunday night, but Escambia County drivers were paying an average of $2.32. In North Escambia Sunday night, two Cantonment stations were lower at $2.25.
“Although gas prices are declining again, drivers should expect continued volatility at the pump in the coming months,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Refineries are entering spring maintenance season, where they conduct seasonal maintenance and switch to a more expensive summer gasoline – as required by the EPA. This work can lead to reduced refinery output at a time when driving demand increases for spring break. In recent years, the imbalance of springtime supply and demand led to price hikes of 20-60 cents, which was spread out over the course of a few months.”
Escambia County Public Meetings This Week
February 24, 2020
Here is a schedule of this week’s Escambia County public meetings:
Monday, February 24
Library Board of Governance – 4 p.m., 1301 W. Gregory St.
Pensacola Bay Living Shoreline Public Workshop – 6 p.m., 333 Commerce St.
Wednesday, February 26
Coffee with the Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, District 1 – 6:30 a.m., McDonald’s Restaurant, 5 S. Blue Angel Parkway
Public Safety Coordinating Council – 12 p.m., Court Administration, 5th Floor Conference Room, 190 Governmental Center
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Visit Pensacola Board of Directors Meeting – 3 p.m., 120 Church St.
Santa Rose Island Authority Committee Meeting – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna
Thursday, February 27
Extension Council Meeting – 5 p.m., 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
Friday, February 28
Black History Month Program – 6 p.m., Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St.
Evelyn (Mimi) Criswell
February 24, 2020
Evelyn (Mimi) Criswell, 79 years old, of Holt, FL, went to her heavenly home on February 21, 2020. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama on February 20, 1941 to James and Earline Waller.
She taught Sunday School at Beulah Baptist Church, was Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and was a foster mom to a family friend for their two boys. She catered many weddings for family and friends. She was a gardener and housewife. She raised her brother after her parents passed away in a car accident. She always opened her home to anyone in need.
She is survived by her loving husband of almost 62 years, Gene Criswell. He devoted countless hours caring for her. She is also survived by her daughter, Brenda (Tim) Flota of Molino; her son Jimmy (Cindy) Criswell of Pace; her four grandchildren, Shaina (Kris) Mann, Matt (Taylor) Flota, Kelsie Criswell, and Cinda (Scotty) Skaggs; two brothers, Robert Waller and Jim (Carol) Waller; her sister Judy (Al) Long; a special niece, Leigh; and her great-grandchildren, Chloe, Molly, and Lucy Skaggs, and Leanna and Parker Flota.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Earline Waller; and her in-laws, Howard and Reba Criswell.
We would like to thank North Okaloosa Medical Center and Covenant Hospice for their compassion and excellent care.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Covenant Hospice:
220 Eglin Parkway, NE
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32547
Funeral services will be held at 12 PM, on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor William Strickland officiating. Burial will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 11 AM to 12 PM prior to services.
Rodney Eugene Howell
February 24, 2020
Rodney Eugene Howell was born January 23, 1967. He was a native of Molino, FL. He passed away on February 22, 2020. He was a Christian and grew up in the Assembly of God Church. Rodney was a man that would help anyone any way he could. Whether that be on the racetrack or in everyday life. He loved Andrea as well as his family more than anything in the world. He was an avid dirt track racer since 1986 and was known as the “Triple Nickle”. He mainly raced at Florida and Alabama Tracks. His favorite places to be were either in his yard or in his racecar shop working. He would always have a project going on. He worked as a welder/fabricator. His love for racing built many long lasting relationships with people whom he considered family. He will be remembered as a “True Racer” and a dirt track legend by the racing community. He took his last checkered flag crossing the finish line into heaven on February 22, 2020. May his memory be eternal. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Earline Howell and grandparents, Annie and Buck Godwin, Farrell Howell and Narvie Lee and Agnes White.
He is survived by his wife of 3 years, Andrea Howell of Molino, FL; three sons, Joshua Lee (Danielle) Howell of Milton, FL, David Thompson of Pensacola, FL and Daniel Thompson of Pensacola, FL; one sister, Robin Howell (Rico) Padilla of McDavid, FL; one grandson, Jackson Lee Howell and two nephews, Hunter Cofield of McDavid, FL and Levi Cofield of McDavid, FL.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. James Gay officiating.
Burial will follow at Traveler’s Rest Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2020 from 6 to 9 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Haugen, Jeffrey Glenn, Chris Williams, Mike Neese, Hunter Cofield, Levi Cofield, Gregory Thames and Jimbo Horan.
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.