Laura Sue Summers
October 5, 2020
Laura Sue Summers, age 82, passed away Wednesday, 10-1-20, at 3:30 am. She was born on March 16, 1938, in Tamms, Illinois to Paul Miller and Lillian Chester Miller.
Mrs. Summers grew up in Murphysboro, Illinois, and graduated from Murphysboro Township High School. She attended Pensacola Jr. College. She and her husband, Arthur Summers, were married 49 years and raised two children. She was a woman of faith and ministered at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Pensacola for 46 years.
She was preceded in death by both parents; four brothers, James Allen, Dale Edward, Paul Edward, Paul Eugene, Preston Drew Miller; and one daughter-in-law, Margie Robertson.
Laura is survived by her husband, Arthur Summers; sons, William and Timothy Robertson (Kathy); 3 grandchildren, Christopher, Stephen, and Sarah Robertson and 4 great grandchildren, Carter, Lucas, Ronan, and Em.
Funeral services will be Wednesday (10-7-20) at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 800 East Nine Mile Road, with visitation at 11 AM – 12 PM and service at 12 noon, and burial at Barrancas National Cemetery at 2 PM.
Theresa Marie Diamond
October 5, 2020
Theresa Marie Diamond (nee Raines) passed away on Thursday, October 1st, 2020, at the age of 90. Known as “Honey” by her family, Theresa was born on January 20th, 1930, in Frisco City, AL, to Burley and Mary (Tatum) Raines. In 1947, she married Cecil Cleveland Diamond, and they raised three sons: Mike, Gary, and Robin.
Theresa’s first job was at the Pensacola Public Library when it was located in Old Christ Church, and she spent most of her professional life at Monsanto and retired from the company after 32 years. Theresa was a “jill of all trades,” gifted in many crafting arts: she was a talented seamstress, cake decorator, doll maker, and painter. She made dresses for her granddaughters for special occasions; painted, styled, and assembled porcelain dolls; and decorated cakes for many of her loved ones’ birthdays and weddings. It was rare to enter Theresa’s kitchen and not find a vanilla pound cake on the counter! She enjoyed painting porcelain figurines with her grandchildren and fired the porcelain pieces in her home kiln. Theresa was a long-time member of both Woodlawn and Circle Baptist Churches, where Cecil served as music director and Theresa sang in the choir. For the last ten years, Theresa has been a resident of the Life Care Center, where she had many friends and enjoyed crafting, ice cream socials, and playing Bingo. More than anything, Theresa loved her family, delighting in her sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who equally loved their Honey.
Theresa is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Cecil; her brothers, Burley Jr. and Thurmon; and her son, Mike. She is survived by her sons, Gary (Terrie) and Robin; eight grandchildren, Michael (Christina), Keeley (Chris), Angela (Eeon), Jenny (Lindsay), Chris (Mam), Joni (Matt), Max, and Rita; and numerous great grandchildren.
Visitation for Mrs. Diamond will be held from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, October 6th, 2020, at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home (1000 S. Hwy. 29, Cantonment, FL 32533), with the Funeral Service at 11:00 A.M. Theresa’s Diamond’s nephew Larry Raines, will officiate the service. Interment will be held at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens following the service.
The family wishes to thank the staff, nurses, and doctors at the Life Care Center, as well as Theresa’s roommate and dear friend, Janice Montgomery.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the family asks that visitors wear face coverings and maintain social distancing.
Stephen Craig “Steve” Hetrick
October 5, 2020
Stephen Craig “Steve” Hetrick, age 58, of Valparaiso, FL passed away on September 29, 2020 at his residence. He was born on August 31, 1962 in Columbus, OH to Richard D. and Sherry Jenkins Hetrick. He was employed at Eglin Air Force Base as a Cyber Security Administrator Contractor and was an avid fisherman and Alabama football fan.
Preceded in death by his father, Richard D. Hetrick. He is survived by his mother, Sherry A. Hetrick of Atmore, AL; his wife, Becky Hetrick; his son, Stephen Joe (Ashleigh) Hetrick of Austin, TX; his brothers, Richard (Alicia) Hetrick of Brewton, AL, Jeff (Carla) Hetrick of Las Cruces, NM, Joey (Connie) Hetrick of Bratt, FL and Christian (Mollie) Hetrick of Florence, AL and his grandchildren, Declan, Lilly and Simon.
Funeral service will be held Monday, October 5, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Don Davis officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Pallbearers will be Richard Hetrick, Jeff Hetrick, Joey Hetrick, Christian Hetrick, Brandon Hetrick and Justin Hetrick.
Visitation will be Monday, October 5, 2020 from 12:30 p.m. until service time at 1:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
For the safety of you and others, please practice social distancing requirements, though wearing a facial mask is strongly encouraged.
Two Suspects Charged In Saturday Murder
October 4, 2020
Two suspects have been charged with a shooting death Saturday in Escambia County.
Kentavius Oliver, 30, and Samuel Maurice Young, 26, are both charged with murder and being held in the Escambia County jail without bond.
Two black males wearing ski masks shot a man at an apartment at the corner of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road about 1:30 p.m. before fleeing.
The ECSO has not released the name of the victim found dead at the scene or the motive, but authorities did say they believe the shooting may have been drug related.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured: The scene of a murder Saturday afternoon at Mobile Highway and Klondike Road in Escambia County. Photos courtesy Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing From Local Church, Pawning Items
October 4, 2020
A Cantonment man has be arrested on outstanding warrants for stealing from a local church.
Matthew David Moore, 52, was charged with grand theft and dealing in stolen property.
Moore worked for the Pine Forest Assembly of God Church and took home three heaters valued at $400 in order to fix and return them to the church, according to an arrest report. He also borrowed a lawnmower value, valued at $345. His employment was later terminated, but he never returned any of the items.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Moore later pawned the lawnmower at a pawn shop on Pensacola Boulevard. At the same time, he also pawned an air compressor that had “Pine Forest A/G” written on it. It was determined to also belong to the church, but they were not yet aware that it was missing, the report states.
The total amount of items taken from the church totaled $909.10.
Moore remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set at $12,500.
11-Year Old Boy Killed In Highway 97 Wreck; 9-Year Old Girl And Three Others Injured
October 4, 2020
A two-vehicle wreck Saturday morning south of Walnut Hill claimed the life a child and injured at least four others.
The crash happened on Highway 97 a mile south of Tungoil Road about 9:15 a.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 16-year old male from Molino was southbound on Highway 97 in a GMC Sierra pickup truck when he attempted to pass other traffic in a no passing zone. At the same time, a 43-year old male from Atmore driving a Mitsubishi Outlander was attempting to make a left turn into the driveway of a private residence.
The pickup truck slammed into the rear of the SUV, injuring all four occupants. An 11-year old boy was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS in critical condition. A 42-year old female passenger was airlifted by a second MedStar helicopter in critical condition. A 9-year old girl was transported by Escambia County EMS in serious condition. All occupants of the SUV were wearing their seat belts.
A 16-year old male passenger in the pickup truck was transported by Escambia County EMS to the hospital with minor injuries. The pickup driver was not injured.
Highway 97 was closed all day by the crash. The FHP is continuing their investigation.
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the name of those involved in traffic crashes.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
City Of Pensacola Offices Reopening To The Public After COVID-19 Closures
October 4, 2020
City of Pensacola offices and facilities that were closed due to COVID-19 will reopen to the public on Monday, Oct. 5, with some restrictions still in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Per city policy an a city ordinance, face coverings are required to be worn by employees and members of the public inside all city buildings and facilities. Anyone entering a city building or facility may be subject to a temperature check and/or COVID-19 screening questions.
The following city buildings and facilities will reopen Monday, Oct. 5:
- City of Pensacola administrative offices
- City Hall
- Most City of Pensacola community resource centers
Exceptions:
- All City of Pensacola parks remain closed until further notice due to Hurricane Sally.
- Bayview Senior Center and Theophalis May Resource Center will remain closed to the public until further notice. For virtual programming offered by Bayview Senior Center, like and follow Bayview Senior Center on Facebook.
- Roger Scott Tennis Center hard courts have reopened, but clay courts remain closed
Middle 50s For Sunday Night
October 4, 2020
A burn ban remains in effect for Escambia County in Florida. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
FEMA Mobile Registration Centers Now Open Escambia, Santa Rosa
October 4, 2020
FEMA has opened mobile registration centers for Hurricane Sally survivors at multiple locations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The centers, called Mobile Registration Intake Centers (MRICs), are staffed with FEMA personnel who can assist with registration and answer questions about disaster-assistance programs.
The centers are open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
- Escambia County Extension Service – 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Brownsville Community Center – 3200 W. DeSoto St.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
- Pensacola State College South Santa Rosa Center – 5075 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze
The centers operate under COVID-19 protocols to ensure visitors and FEMA personnel are safe. Distancing and face coverings are required. Individuals who come to the centers check in at a registration table, give their name and phone number, and then wait in their cars until they receive a text message to come to the FEMA staff at the MRIC. This process reduces the number of people standing in lines to mitigate against COVID.
It is not necessary to visit a center to register with FEMA. Disaster survivors with uninsured losses can also apply by:
- Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov;
- Downloading the FEMA App; or by
- Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.
The following information is necessary when you register:
- Address of the damaged dwelling where the damage occurred (pre-disaster address)
- Current mailing address
- Current telephone number
- Insurance information
- Total household annual income
- Routing and account number for checking or savings account (this allows FEMA to directly transfer disaster assistance funds into a bank account)
- A description of disaster-caused damage and losses
Pictured: A FEMA center that opened Saturday morning at the Escambia County Extension Office on Stefani Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Road Construction: This Week’s Slowdown Spots
October 4, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities
Escambia County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is closed and expected to remain closed for several months.
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures the week of Sunday, Oct. 4.:
o Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and a Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and pavement operations.
o Broad Street will be closed west of U.S. 29 to the railroad tracks from 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 to 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5 for road construction. Broad Street between Untreiner Avenue and U.S. 29 will be open to local traffic only.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures as crews continue construction activities.
- · West Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Construction Activities West of I-10 – Motorists will encounter an intermittent, westbound lane closure from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday, Oct. 9 as crews perform curb and gutter work in preparation for paving the new turn lane.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road (S.R.) 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. Motorists may also encounter nighttime lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5 through Thursday, Oct. 8 for the placement of asphalt. Motorists are also advised to look out for debris as cleanup efforts are still underway from Hurricane Sally.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities continue. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. - · I-10 Lane Reconstruction West of Sandy Creek Bridge – The eastbound on-ramp and eastbound outside lane will be closed on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5 as crews begin lane reconstruction activities.
- · I-10 Light Pole Removal from Escambia Bay Bridge – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4 as crews remove light poles from the bridge.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – For the latest information visit FDOT.gov/PensacolaBay.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
- · S.R. 87 North Underground Utility Operations from Park Avenue to S.R. 89 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3 as crews perform underground utility repairs.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.