All Escambia, Santa Rosa Schools Closed Monday
August 30, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE.
Most area schools will be closed on Monday due to Hurricane Ida concerns.
Escambia County, Florida
Superintendent Timothy A. Smith has announced that all schools and offices within the Escambia County School District (ECSD) will close Monday, August 30, 2021, due to Hurricane Ida. The cancellation of regular school district operations includes all extracurricular activities. Currently, the school district plans to reopen on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. This decision is based on current recommendations from the Escambia Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
- Gonzalez UMC Child Enrichment Center will be closed Monday
Pensacola Christian
Pensacola Christian Academy classes and all activities are canceled for Monday, August 30, because of potential winds and flash flooding from Hurricane Ida. School is currently scheduled to resume on Tuesday. Pensacola Christian College has not yet started fall semester classes.
Pensacola State
UPDATE – All locations of Pensacola State College will be closed Monday, August 30, and will reopen on Tuesday for regular hours. This includes all classes, events, campus activities and online courses. Essential employees such as public safety and those contacted by their supervisors will be asked to report to work.
University of West Florida
UPDATE – All UWF locations, including the Pensacola campus, UWF Emerald Coast and UWF Historic Trust, will close Sunday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. and will remain closed through Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 4:59 a.m. This includes all classes, events, campus activities and online courses. Normal University operations, classes, events and campus activities will resume Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 5 a.m.
Santa Rosa County
All Santa Rosa County District Schools will be closed Mon., Aug. 30, to include all after-school activities. School and after-school activities are expected to resume Tues., Aug. 31 as usual and a confirmation will be sent by Monday at 5 p.m.
Escambia County, Alabama
All Escambia County Alabama Schools and offices will be closed tomorrow due to the potential for hazardous conditions caused by Hurricane Ida.
“We feel it is in the best interest of all to close all schools tomorrow, Monday, August 30, 2021. We do plan for all Escambia County Alabama Schools and offices to be open effective Tuesday, August 31, 2021. We encourage you to monitor for weather reports and local information, and take caution to be safe,” Superintendent John Knott said.
Escambia Academy and Atmore Christian School will also be closed.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida Utility Crews To Help With Louisiana Power Restoration
August 30, 2021
Florida Power & Light Company, the parent company of Gulf Power, is deploying employees and contractors to support power restoration after Hurricane Ida. A team of more than 750 employees and contractors will assist Entergy Louisiana and Cleco with their restoration.
“As Floridians who have faced dangerous hurricanes like Andrew and Michael before, we understand how critical it is to have support from other utilities during restoration events,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy. “Just as our neighboring utilities have come to Florida to support us, we will be there for our brothers and sisters in need, getting their communities back up and running safely. Hurricane Ida is a very dangerous storm. Our thoughts and prayers are with those in the storm’s path.”
The workers, who began their journey Sunday morning, will travel to Louisiana to help wherever they are needed.
AAA: Hurricane Ida Likely To Cause Higher Gas Prices
August 30, 2021
Florida drivers could soon feel the effects of Hurricane Ida, in the form of higher gas prices, according to AAA. While a gas price hike appears imminent, it’s still unclear how much of a increase drivers will see.
The average price for gasoline in Florida was $2.95 per gallon Sunday. The state average has slowly declined over the course of the past three weeks, after setting a new 2021 high of $3.03 on August 5th. A week ago, it appeared that prices were poised to decline even further, after futures prices plummeted, in response to the spread of COVID-19. However, futures prices rebounded last week, due to concerns about what the storm could do to the Gulf Coast fuel supply chain. Sunday night, futures prices spiked again in overnight trading.
Sunday night, the average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.02. A North Escambia low of $2.86 could be found Sunday at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment. Pensacola’s lowest price was $2.77 Sunday evening.
Hurricanes don’t always cause gas prices to rise, but when a major storm moves into the Gulf Coast, that’s another story. Hurricane Ida made landfall along the Gulf Coast, a region populated with offshore oil rigs, coastal crude oil refineries, terminals and ports.
Refineries in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama account for more than 45% of the nation’s capacity for refining crude oil into gasoline and other important products. Additionally, the region is home to nearly 2,000 offshore oil platforms, which accounts for 17% of the nation’s crude oil production.
“Drivers will almost assuredly see gas prices rise this week, because of Hurricane Ida’s effects on the Gulf Coast,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Based on overnight movement in the futures market, a 10-20 cent jump at the pump is not out of the question. Where gas prices go from here will depend on the extent of the damage and how long it will take for fuel production and transportation lines to return to normal.”
Betty Lou (Dunn) Gregg
August 30, 2021
Betty Lou (Dunn) Gregg, age 71, passed away on August 25, 2021 in Atmore, AL. She was born on June 15, 1950 in McCullough, AL to the late Odis C. and Ruby E. “Liz” Tolin Dunn. Betty loved gardening, rescuing stray cats, shopping, fine dining, cooking and was an avid Auburn Fan.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Doyle Maurice Gregg; her father, Odis C. Dunn; her mother, Ruby E. “Liz” Dunn Davis Boone; her step-father, Hilton P. Davis and her brother, Roy Wayne Dunn.
Betty had special love for her feline companion, Aubie; her special friend, James Michael Coker and her lifelong friend, Alan Etheridge.
She is survived by her siblings, Evelyn Joan (Bruce) Lang of Brandon, MS, Linda Joyce Morgan of Hilham, TN, Thomas Henry (Donna) Davis of Mineola, AL, Autrey Edward Davis of Davisville, FL, Lois Jean (George) Mahony of Atmore, AL, Peggy Sue Dunn of Atmore, AL, Billy Ray (Ruthie) Dunn of Atmore, AL, David Glenn Dunn of Atmore, AL along with numerous nieces and nephews she loved dearly.
A private family viewing will be held at a later date. The family asked that facial mask be worn due to the current healthcare crisis.
An Inurnment will follow in Newport, TN at a later date.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Judith Vickery Branum
August 30, 2021
Judith Vickery Branum went to her eternal home on August 29, 2021. Her family and countless friends already miss her but take comfort that she is healed and whole.
Judy was born on September 13, 1945, in New Castle, Indiana. She moved to her long-time home of Atmore as a child, and other than her college days spent at her beloved Auburn University, she has resided there since with her high school sweetheart, Billy Wayne, who she married in 1968, and their daughter, Bonnie.
Judy’s calling was education, and she devoted her life to teaching students at Escambia Academy, Flomaton High School, Escambia County High School, and T.R. Miller High School. Over the years, her family has heard students say she touched their lives, but her life was also touched by each and every one of her students. She planned her lessons meticulously and took great delight in teaching, pushing, and encouraging her students. Perhaps her most important role, however, was becoming a YaYa to her dear granddaughter, Olivia, and she brought to that role the utmost of enthusiasm and love.
She loved her church home, First Baptist Church of Atmore, where, for years, she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and children’s church.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie Farrar “Red” Vickery and Bonnie Kirkpatrick Vickery; and her sister, Becky Shivers.
She is survived by her husband, Billy Wayne; her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Nic Minopoli; her granddaughter, Olivia Minopoli; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Penny and Galen Walker and Peggy and John James; a special cousin, John Arthur Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews she loved as her own.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 3:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, Alabama.
For safety purposes, the family asks that you wear a mask and socially distance.
The family intends to have a celebration of life service when safe.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Baptist Church of Atmore: www.fbcatmore.org or The Gideons International: www.sendtheword.org.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Here’s What Ida Is Doing Today
August 30, 2021
Category 4 Hurricane Ida made landfall Sunday as an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and a minimum central pressure of 930 mb (27.46 inches). Landfall was about 15 miles southwest of Grand Isle.
What remains of Ida continues inland into Mississippi Monday.
The latest information is in the graphics on this page.
Mary R. Smith
August 30, 2021
Mary R. Smith, 74 of Atmore, AL passed away August 27, 2021 in Atmore. She was born in East Brewton, AL. on October 17, 1946 to the late Rufus and Mary Inez Weaver O’Farrell. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was a beautician most of her life. She is preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Lou Jean Petty.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Alvin Lamar “Pete” Smith of Atmore, AL and a daughter, Marcy (Nathan) Riley of Atmore, AL; three step-children, David (Kathy) Smith of Atmore, AL, Heith (Kimber) Smith of Atmore, AL, Eugenia (Ray) Boutwell of Flomaton, AL and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 2:30 PM at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Mike Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Christopher Powell, Kevin Peacock, Bradden Riley, Heith Smith, Nathan Riley and Roger Smith.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Highway 29, Highway 97 Intersection Flooded Sunday By Hurricane Ida
August 30, 2021
The intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino was flooded for awhile Sunday by rains from Hurricane Ida.
Highway 29 is the major north-south corridor through Escambia County.
Reader images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Joshua Shane Clark
August 30, 2021
Joshua Shane Clark, age 47, a native of Atmore, AL and former resident of Pensacola, FL who later resided in Theodore, AL passed away on August 24, 2021 in Theodore. He was born on April 23, 1974 in Pensacola, FL. He served in The United States Marine Corps.
He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Oliver B. Edgar and his grandparents, Harold and Janice Clark.
He is survived by his father, Harold Joseph Clark of Mobile, AL; his mother and step-father, Brenda Edgar (Wayne) Pruitt of Atmore, AL; his son, Jagger Clark of Pensacola, FL; his brother, Kent (Faren) Brown of Viola, DE; his sister, Lindsey (Eric) Parnell of Saraland, AL; his nieces, Eleena, Brinkley and Abby along with his nephews, Rylind, Avery and Brant.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 12 Noon at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL with Rev. Steve Walley officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Betty F. Amerson Brown
August 30, 2021
Betty F. Amerson Brown, age 85, of Cantonment, FL passed away on August 29, 2021 in Atmore, AL. She was born on January 10, 1936 in Bratt, FL to the late Horace Edison and Fannie Annette Wiggins Amerson. Betty was of the Baptist Faith.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul Brown; her step-son, Roland Brown, her brothers, Elyan Amerson and Jimmy Amerson.
She is survived by her daughter, Wanda Hall of Atmore, AL; her son, Randy (Pat) Hall of Salt Lake, UT; her step-sons, Russell (Karla) Brown of Cantonment, FL, Randy Brown of Atmore, AL and Rodney (Faye) Brown of McDavid, FL; her brother, Curtis (Betty) Amerson of Enon, FL; her sister, Ann Amerson Weemes of Atmore, AL; nine grandchildren, twenty five great grandchildren along with numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Graveside service will be held Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Christian Home Cemetery with Rev. Ken Johnson and Bro. Ricky Tedder officiating. Interment will follow at Christian Home Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be her grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local charity of choice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.