Charles Edward ‘Sonny’ Fore
February 22, 2021
Mr. Charles Edward ‘Sonny’ Fore, age 92 of Flomaton, AL, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at his home.
Mr. Fore was born in Flomaton and was a life long member of the Flomaton and Century areas where he owned and operated Fore Sand and Gravel and Fore Dixie Development Company. He loved his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, fishing, horses, and thoroughly enjoyed cutting the grass. Mr. Fore attended Flomaton Church of Christ, and was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Richard and Edna White Fore; sister, Francis Scott; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Fore and two great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Louise Fore of Flomaton, AL; son, Darryl Fore of Flomaton, AL; daughter, Sharon (James) Pate of Flomaton, AL; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 9 AM until10 AM.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Flomaton Funeral Home at 10 AM with Bro. Ronnie Fore officiating.
Pallbearers will be Drew Odom, Jesse Hamilton, Steve Stanton, Donnie Smith, Steve Creamer, Alan Lowery.
Honorary pallbearers will be Coy Boutwell, Pat Jarvis, James Campbell, W.T. Gafford, James Hicks, Melvin Johnson, Jerry Fischer, Doug Finlay, Albert Johnson.
Interment will be in Flomaton Cemetery, Flomaton, AL.
Down Home Feel To Law Enforcement: Sheriff Chip Simmons Reopens Molino Precinct
February 21, 2021
Hundreds of community members attended the reopening ribbon cutting for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino Precinct Saturday.
It was a scene that took on the feel of a community festival with balloons, children’s activities, food, demonstrations and the “Star-Spangled Banner” playing as Scout Troop 430 of Molino raised the flag into a blue sky. And that community feel is exactly what Sheriff Chip Simmons hopes the substation will be.
“We want this to be a hub. We don’t want to take anything away from Jimmy’s (a Molino restaurant). You can go eat at Jimmy’s and come over here,” Simmons said. “We think that having a more down home feel to law enforcement is a benefit to everyone. We think that we are going to have a quicker response time. We are certainly going to have deputies and supervision up here that knows the nuances of this area specifically.”
That supervision will come from Lt. Bobby Nelson (pictured left).
“I hope that this building can be a bridge to the community that it has been missing for the last few years.,” Nelson said. “I just want you to know that you are going to get my best and the best from everybody out here…Anything that we can do, were are here for you.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
“We want you to be part of the community. We want you to stop by here, to come in here and say hello,” Simmons said. “If you want to have a meeting, I’ll drive up here. We’ll have a meeting in here.”
“I want thank Sheriff Simmons for standing by his campaign commitment to reopen this office,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said.
Simmons said he hopes to add even more deputies to the Molino precinct and a person to staff the office five days a week.
“I can’t be more excited about having this substation open,” District 5 ECUA board member Kevin Stephens said. “I know my wife and my family are feeling a lot better right now having our local law enforcement here closer.”
After officially opening the precinct, Simmons asked for just one thing in return.
“I just want you to do one thing for me. Every night when you go to bed, say a quick prayer and thank God that there are men and women that are willing to do this job,” Simmons said. “There’s a lot of negativity involving law enforcement, but I can tell you this. I work with 700 of the most dedicated, and professional, and decent hardworking men and women that you can ever ask for. So before I go to bed, I thank God for that, and I would ask that you do the same thing. I add an extra blessing tonight and say thank you for the neighborhood, thank you for the neighborhoods that will engage with us, support us, and are just great benefits to our community.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Moves In Late Sunday Night
February 21, 2021
Here is your official north Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers likely after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a low around 52. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday: Showers likely before noon. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 69. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
Century Library Renovations Taking A Little Longer Than Planned. Here’s A Little Sneak Peek.
February 21, 2021
Renovations at the Century Branch Library are taking a little longer than first expected.
The library was due to open this week, but due to construction delays that’s been delayed until Tuesday, March 2.
Work began February 2 on an renovations including an enlarged children’s library, improved adult reading area, new furnishings, new carpet, new lighting and fresh new paint throughout.
Improvements are also being made outside the library including additional sidewalk, benches, bicycle repair station and several collaboration tables including an ADA accessible picnic table.
Pictured: A little sneak peak at the colors and carpet in the Century Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Traffic Trouble Spots
February 21, 2021
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:
- U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement – The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center remains accessible from 17th Avenue. In addition, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (State Road (S.R.) 297) to U.S. 29 – Crews continue road widening and drainage improvements. Traffic impacts for the week of Sunday, Feb. 21 include:
- Westbound Nine Mile Road between Pine Forest Road and Untreiner Avenue will be shifted to the newly constructed westbound roadway the week of Sunday, Feb. 21. The traffic shift will allow crews to construct the new inside travel lanes, median, and turn lanes. The shift is expected to remain in place for the next couple of weeks. Traffic control officers will be on-site to direct traffic.
- Drivers will experience intermittent traffic stoppages at the intersection of Nine Mile and Pine Forest road between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 and Monday, Feb. 22 as crews pave the intersection. The Nine Mile Road westbound right turn lane to Pine Forest Road will be closed during this time to be reconstructed.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- Southbound drivers on North Ninth Avenue (State Road 289) will encounter intermittent daytime right lane closures approaching the Carpenters Creek Bridge Tuesday, Feb. 23 through Friday, Feb. 26 as crews relocate utility poles.
- W. Cervantes Street Underground Utility Operations- Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the following days and locations:
- Tuesday, Feb. 23 and Wednesday, Feb. 24: East and westbound from the intersection of North F Street to the intersection of North H Street.
- Wednesday, Feb. 24 and Thursday, Feb. 25: Westbound outside travel lane from the intersection of North E Street to the intersection of North G Street.
- Thursday, Feb. 25 and Friday, Feb. 26: East and westbound from the intersection of North D Street to the intersection of North F Street.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent right turn lane closures beginning Monday, Feb. 21.
- · S.R. 8 (I-10) Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter nighttime, periodic lane closures beginning the week of Monday, Feb. 22. A 36-hour lane closure with pacing operations (slow moving) will begin at 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22. Traffic will be temporarily slowed to a safe speed by a pilot vehicle to allow crews to perform construction activities.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities including utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements have begun. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There will be no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained. Major roadway construction activities are anticipated to begin summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – For the latest information visit FDOT.gov/PensacolaBay.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction West of Bell Lane in Pace– Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday, March 5 as crews construct an east and westbound turn lane for the New Discount Tire Store.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions until Sunday, April 25 as crews perform roadway maintenance activities along the corridors. Off duty law enforcement will be on-site to assist with traffic control.
Pictured: The intersection of Nine Mile and Pine Forest roads as seen on Saturday, February 20. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
St. Regis Gas Treating Facility Near Jay Reports Produced Water Leak
February 21, 2021
A produced water leak was reported Saturday at a gas facility near Jay.
The leak was at the St. Regis Gas Treating Facility just east of the intersection of Highway 89 and Exxon Road.
A control room operator received a call from a local resident about a smell. The field pumper was immediately notified, and he identified the leak and isolated the line. The line was depressurized within 15 minutes, and a vacuum truck was called to remove any fluids.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, about 4.95 barrels (208 gallons) of produced water entered Cobb Branch through a concrete ditch.
Oil booms were placed in the concrete ditch and in several locations in Cobb Branch, but no oil sheen was found.
American Adds Nonstop Flight From Pensacola To New York
February 21, 2021
American Airlines has announced it will begin daily, nonstop service from Pensacola International Airport to LaGuardia Airport this summer. The Texas based carrier said the service is scheduled to begin in June and run through September.
LaGuardia Airport, located in the Queens borough of New York City, is the third busiest airport in New York, offering connections to Richmond, Virginia, Detroit, Michigan, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and many other destinations.
American Airlines’ daily flight departs LaGuardia at noon EST and arrives in Pensacola at 1:45 p.m. CST. Flights departing Pensacola will arrive in New York at 6 p.m. EST.
“We have worked to position Pensacola International Airport as a strategic partner for airlines as we all work to recover from the health crisis that has negatively impacted the air industry,” Pensacola International Airport Director Matt Coughlin said. “This announcement today shows that our efforts here in Pensacola are not going unnoticed and that we truly are the Gateway to the Gulf Coast.”
“I’m always excited to see new nonstop destinations at Pensacola International Airport, but one as prominent as New York City is especially exciting,” Mayor Grover Robinson said. “Expanding our nonstop destinations not only provides additional travel opportunities for residents, but also connects new visitors to Pensacola and everything our beautiful city has to offer. Despite challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s great to see Pensacola International Airport continuing to thrive with safety protocols in place for travelers.”
FDOH Reports One More COVID-19 Death, 111 New Positives In Escambia County
February 21, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There was one more COVID-19 death and 111 new positives reported Saturday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 33,158 (+111)
Non-Florida residents: 3,431
Recovered: 30,847*
Total deaths: 608 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 262
Current hospitalizations: 107
Number of tests reported last day: 1,913
Percent positive reported last day: 5.2%
Percent positive reported last week: 8.9%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 24,701 (+87)
Cantonment: 2,999 (+12)
Century: 1,137 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 456 (+3)
McDavid: 197 (+2)
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 50 (+1)
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 16,696 (+46)
Non-Florida residents: 211
Total deaths: 250 (+3)
Long-term care facility deaths: 76
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 760*
Number of tests reported last day: 578
Percent positive reported last day: 10.7%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,032 (+22)
Navarre: 3,411 (+23)
Gulf Breeze: 3,127 (+6)
Pace: 1,331 (+11)
Jay: 517 (+2)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,863,707
Florida residents: 1,829,773
Deaths: 29,813
Hospitalizations: 77,654*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Johnnie William Taylor
February 21, 2021
Mr. Johnnie William Taylor affectionately known as Billy, surrounded by his family,
passed this world and into the next on February 14, 2021. Johnnie was born on January 3,
1944 in Atmore, AL and spent his life working and building his business and family there.
He is preceded in death by his father, James E. Taylor; his mother, Rosa Harrison Taylor;
his brother, Homer Taylor and his sisters, Dorothy Taylor Godwin and Callie Taylor
Irwin.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Norma McCall Taylor of Atmore, AL; their two
children, Lynn Taylor Winters (John) of Monroeville, AL and Suzanne Taylor of Auburn,
AL; their two granddaughters, Mary Taylor Winters and Lucinda Ruth Johnson who were
the lights of his life; his sister, Doris (Sue) Gohagin of Atmore, AL along with a multitude
of nieces, nephews, beloved family members and friends.
Graveside service will be held Friday, February 19, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery
in Atmore, AL with a close family friend, Joseph (JJ) Jones speaking.
Active pallbearers will be Dauphin Gohagin, Timothy Godwin, Jimmy Crook, Shawn
Linam, Earl Dailey and Hooper Matthews.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Staff, James Reed, Jerry Cochran, Roy Rowley and Steve
Carpenter.
Visitation will be Friday, February 19, 2021 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 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.
Salzman Withdraws ECUA Term Limit Bill, Instead Looking At Wider Utility Reform
February 20, 2021
Rep. Michelle Salzman has withdrawn a local bill that would have imposed term limits for members of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. Instead, Salzman and other legislators across the state are setting their collective sights on ECUA and similar utilities across the state.
Salzman set out to rewrite that legislative act that gives ECUA its authority after a 2018 grand jury investigation that was not made public until September 2020. The freshman District 1 representative’s bill would have limited ECUA board members to three, four-year terms.
“What we have discovered during the course of this process is that this issue is not specific to just our area. There are other ‘ECUA’s’ around Florida and for that reason we are partnering with other legislators across the state to request the office of the Public Counsel to conduct a study of how some utilities in Florida currently operate and report its recommendations back to the legislature,” Salzman told NorthEscambia.com in a text message Friday.
The Escambia County Legislative Delegation had endorsed the bill at a January meeting, and Salzman said the withdrawal was done in partnership with Delegation Chair Sen. Doug Broxson.
“The extensive operational audit of ECUA was officially requested by my office as well as a separate detailed review of all water utilities created by special acts has been ordered as well. Before the end of session we should have a clear picture of how we will move forward with legislation,” she said.
“I have been having the conversation about ECUA with legislators and leaders all over our state. As I mentioned after our January delegation meeting, this is only the beginning. I am and will continue to work on a good resolution for the constituents of not only Escambia County, but all of Florida.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.