William McBroom
August 26, 2021
William McBroom was born on May 8, 1930 in Mobile, Alabama, the son of Grace and Claude H. Mc Broom. He departed this life and entered his heavenly home with Jesus; his savior, on Monday, August 23, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Claude, as well as his brother John McBroom and his sister Patricia Russell.
William proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Upon his Honorable discharge from the Marines, he met and married the love of his life Harriet, forming a bond in marriage that lasted for more than 67 amazing years. Together they have a son, Bill (Therese) and a daughter, Angela Powell (John).
He was “Papa” to his beloved Grandchildren April, Christian, and Carmen and to his Great Grandchildren Alyssa and Arianna.
Visitation will be held 10:30 to 11:30 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home, North. Services to follow.
Burial will be at Pensacola Memorial Gardens, Pine Forrest Road and will be officiated by Rev. Virgil Tillman.
Pallbearers will be Nephews.
The family would like to thank the nurses of Tidewell Hospice for their compassionate care and kindnesses during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tidewell Hospice at Tidewellfoundation.org or call 941-552-7597 to donate.
Marvel Leticia Keith
August 26, 2021
Marvel Leticia Keith passed away on August 21, 2021 in Pensacola, Florida.
She was born on May 19, 1961 in Aligandi, San Blas, Panama to Blas Martinez and Griselda Perez.
Marvel enjoyed gardening, flowering, and bird watching. She was definitely an outdoors person! She also enjoyed sewing and making molas. Marvel loved life to the fullest, especially when it came to her grandkids. She was a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and was always reading her Bible.
She was preceded in death by her father, Blas Martinez.
Marvel was survived by her husband, Barry Keith; daughters, Starlena (Richard) Williams and Delilah (Kelly) Clements; son, Kimpler (Sparkle) Keith; granddaughter, Eliannia Keith; grandsons, Malachi Williams, Gabriel Williams, Matthew Keith-Harrison, Jadeyn Keith, Skyline Clements, Kameron Clements, Kelly Clements, and Civic Clements; mother, Griselda Perez; sisters, Griselinda Martinez, Zelaida Martinez, Nilda Martinez, and Mileika Martinez; and brothers, Blas Martinez, Carlos Martinez, Kimpler Martinez, and Roldano Martinez.
Funeral services will be announced at a later time.
Pallbearers are Barry, Uncle Leonard, Kimpler, Richard, Malachi, and Uncle Rocky.
Honorary Pallbearers are Little Rocky and Arnold.
Steven Allen Lashley
August 26, 2021
Mr. Steven Allen Lashley, age 63, passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021 in Century, FL.
Mr. Lashley was born in Buras, LA; and has resided most of his life in Century, FL. Mr. Lashley enjoyed the outdoors, spending time with family, and coaching Little League Ball. He loved to tell stories and he never met a stranger.
He is preceded in death by his father, Lonnie Lashley.
Mr. Lashley is survived by his mother, Ruby Lee Lashley, of Century, FL; one son, Stevie Lashley (Mindy) of Century, FL; one daughter, Misti LaSala (Paul) of Canoe, AL; one brother, Edwin Lashley, of Century, FL; one sister, Gaynell Bethea, of Century, FL; three grandchildren, Ansley Tillery (Jonah), Andrea LaSala, Aiden LaSala, other relatives and special friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 28,2021 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC with Rev. Chip Barbas officiating.
Burial will follow at Beulah Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 28,2021 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Pallbearers will be Ray Hammond, Dusty Lowery, Aiden LaSala, Jonah Tillery, Chad Lashley, Chase Lashley, and Caleb Bethea
Field Of Dreams: Greg Gibson Field Honors Late Youth Football Coach
August 25, 2021
If you build it, they will come.
Greg Gibson had a dream.
It was a field that was once cotton or peanuts and then overgrown with briars and weeds at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
But Greg Gibson saw something different.
With a tractor and bush hog, volunteers carved out a big rectangle to give the county guy an idea that a football field would fit. They agreed. But before the county guy came back to look again, Greg sent the volunteers out to make it bigger, hoping to get more space for the kids, and maybe bleachers and press box. A real field of dreams for youth football and youth cheerleading.
As president of Northwest Escambia (NWE) Chiefs Football and Cheer since 2013, Greg worked with Escambia County to see big improvements take shape over the past few months. There are bleachers, fences and a really nice scoreboard. Garnet and gold, you know, for Greg’s beloved NWE Chiefs. The “NWE” gold lettering glistens when the sun hits it just right.
It’s perfect.
This field is for the players. It wasn’t for Greg Gibson. It was all about his NWE teams and cheer squads.
But last week, for a short time, it did become about Greg Gibson. His funeral was held there after he passed away due to COVID-19, and it was forever dedicated as Greg Gibson Field.
There is probably just one remaining question to answer. Is this heaven?
No, it’s Walnut Hill. It’s where dreams will come true for the boys and girls that will play on that field.
But many would swear youth football on a Saturday in the south is probably almost as close as you can get. And most would betcha Greg Gibson will be looking down at that field from heaven.
“Touchdown Chiefs!”
This field, this game.
Ohhhh, people will come, Greg. People will most definitely come to your field of dreams.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Due To COVID-19 Surge, Escambia School District Suspends Field Trips, Some Activities And Volunteer Access
August 25, 2021
Hundreds of Escambia County School District students and employees are missing school because due to COVID-19. Due to the surge, the district has suspended field trips, canceled large student assemblies and events during the school day, and suspended volunteer access to campuses
As of late Tuesday night, the district reported 125 students and 45 employees that have tested positive for COVID-19. There were 365 students and 52 staff members out of school because they are positive, are awaiting test results or are in quarantine due to close contact with a case.
Tuesday, the Escambia County School District reinstated COVID-19 safety measure effectively immediately.
Those measures include
- cancelling open house events for all schools.
- Suspending visitor access for volunteers and mentors.
- Suspending large student assemblies and events during the school day.
- Suspending field trips. Exceptions are permitted for trips involving competitions and performances.
- Encouraging social distancing, where feasible.
- Encouraging frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer.
- Continuing specialized cleaning techniques and sanitizing classrooms and common areas in schools
“We were set for students to participate in field trips and for volunteers to return, but COVID-19 case numbers have continued to increase since the first day of school. These safety measures are being implemented with the intent of protecting students and employees,” Superintendent Tim Smith said.
The measures will be reevaluated in early October.
Scattered Showers And Storms Continue
August 25, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%
Hospitalizations Surging At Ascension Sacred Heart; 93% Are Unvaccinated
August 25, 2021
The numbers of COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola remains at record-high levels, with most of those patients unvaccinated.
The number of hospitalized patients fluctuates frequently, so any individual data points are only a moment-in-time snapshot. But here are a few key statistics for today, Aug. 23:
There are a total of 153 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola. The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 one week ago was 146.
Today’s number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is much higher than the hospital’s previous peak of COVID-19 patients that occurred in January 2021.
The current number of 153 is nine times higher than what it was on July 4, shortly before the current surge of COVID began in Northwest Florida. On July 4, the hospital had 17 patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Approximately 93 percent of the hospital’s patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated.
“Safe and timely access to essential care is vitally important, and the safety of our patients and staff remains our top priority,” said Ascension Sacred Heart President Dawn Rudolph. “Our staff is stretched in dealing with the ongoing influx of patients with COVID-19, but our teams are making heroic efforts. We are performing surgeries and procedures our patients need urgently or in an emergency. At the same time, we are utilizing all of our staffing resources and allocating personnel in the most appropriate and effective manner to ensure care for every patient.”
Due to a lower rate of vaccination among younger people, the hospital is treating more patients who are under 50 compared to the prior surges of July 2020 and January 2021.
In Escambia County, only 49 percent of individuals 18 and older have been fully vaccinated compared to the national average of 63 percent, according to The New York Times. In Santa Rosa County, only 45 percent of those 18 and older are fully vaccinated. By comparison, the number of those 65 and older who are fully vaccinated is much higher – 79 percent.
On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, making it the first COVID-19 vaccine to go from emergency use authorization (EUA) to full FDA approval.
“This is an important milestone,” Rudolph said. “While all of the COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. have long been considered safe and highly effective, now that the FDA has granted full FDA approval to the Pfizer vaccine) we are hopeful that many more people in our communities will step up to be vaccinated. Our health care workers need the community’s support to stop this surge. The best tools we have available to stop COVID-19 are wearing masks in public indoor spaces and, most important, getting the vaccine.”
Everyone in our community plays a critical role in keeping us safe from this virus. Ascension Sacred Heart urges anyone 12 and older to get vaccinated now to protect themselves, their loved ones, and our community against COVID-19. The vaccines are safe and effective, and the evidence is clear that the benefits of being vaccinated far outweigh any identified risks or side effects.
Century Accepts $468K In State Funds For Water Well Upgrades
August 25, 2021
The Town of Century has approved the paperwork to receive $468,453 for water well upgrades as approved by the Florida Legislature.
Century has three water wells — two provide drinking water to the residents of Century and one provides water exclusively to the Century Correctional Institution.
The first well on Blackmon Street and was constructed in 1963 with a pumping capacity of 400 gallons per minute. The adjacent elevated tank has a capacity of 100,000 gallons.
The second well is on Academy Street and was constructed in 1983. It has a pumping capacity of 500 gallons per minute and an elevated tank with a half million gallon capacity. The well had been out of service for over a year before being placed back in service in August 2020 only to fail again. As of June 2, it remained out of service.
The third well was constructed at the prison in 1983 and can pump 400 gallons a minute with 200,000 gallon elevated storage tank. The well failed in May 2020, and the water supply to the prison was restored through an interconnect to Central Water Works.
As of earlier this year when Century asked for state help, the town had spent $353,360.47 so far for repairs to the three wells and the interconnect to Central Water Works. The funding in this year’s state budget includes $107,000 for repairs and wellhouse rehabilitations at the Academy Street well, $90,00 for repairs at the Blackmon Street well, and $210,350 for work at the prison well and a permanent generator.
The money was part of local funding requests submitted by Rep. Michelle Salzman and Sen. Doug Broxson.
Monday night, the town council approved signing the paperwork to receive the money from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The funds will be disbursed on a cost reimbursement basis after work is actually performed and approved.
Pictured: Water flows into the Century Correctional Institution in May 2020 through an emergency interconnect to Central Water Works following the failure of a Century water well. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Held In Cantonment
August 25, 2021
The Cantonment Improvement Committee held a 10,000 pound food giveaway Tuesday afternoon.
It giveaway included food from Manna Food Pantries and Feeding The Gulf Coast.
The food giveaway, although smaller some weeks, is held at 3:30 each Tuesday afternoon at Carver Park at 208 Webb Street. Florida residents can line up in their vehicles, single-file, around the park for the drive thru event.
Pictured Volunteers from Ascend Cares assisted with a 10,000 pound food giveaway Tuesday afternoon at Carver Park in Cantonment. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
James Howard Shell
August 25, 2021
James Howard Shell, age 88, passed away August 21, 2021, in Spanish Fort, Alabama where he had been a resident of Westminster Village for the past four years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Nannette Cobb Shell.
Howard was born in Excel, Alabama on October 31, 1932 to the late Edna Johnson Shell and Cary Ezekiel Shell. He grew up in Walnut Hill, Florida graduating from Ernest Ward High School before attending Florida State University. Due to the Korean War, he left FSU and joined the US Navy where he served aboard the USS Ault for four years. After his service years, he joined Monsanto where he worked in research and development for 30 years before retiring.
Howard served on the Atmore City Council for two years. He subsequently was elected mayor, serving for 22 years before retiring in 2012. Howard was a member of the Atmore First United Methodist Church, the Lions Club, American Legion Post #90 and was a 32nd degree Freemason.
Mr. Shell is survived by his children, Nancy Shell Fayard (Gary) of Atlanta, GA and
James Burton Shell (Kim) of Pawleys Island, SC as well as five grandchildren and
four great grandchildren.
John, Katie and Charlotte Fayard of Nashville, TN
Chris, Brittany, Liam and Isabella Fayard of Atlanta, GA
Mollie, Mark and Charlie Schimmel of New Canaan, CT
Laura Shell of Burlington, NC
Sam Shell of Denver, CO
Howard is also survived by his brother Cary E. Shell Jr. (Frances) and
sister Linda Shell Tolliver (Wilbur Gotham), both of Pensacola FL
Former Mayor Shell requested that his memorial service be postponed to a later date. He was concerned for the health of family, friends and citizens of Atmore due to the high rates of viral infection. Public notice will be given for date of service once determined.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to:
PRIDE OF ATMORE campaign to save the historic Strand Theatre and
Atmore Hardware buildings.
5415 Hwy. 21
Atmore, AL 36502
Notes and cards may be sent to:
Burt Shell, PO Box 4359, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Nancy Fayard, 1985 Old Dominion Road, Atlanta, GA 30350