William Garland Byrd
April 28, 2021
William Garland Byrd passed away on April 22, 2021 at his home in Molino, FL.
Garland (as he was called by close family) or Bill (as he preferred and was known to friends, neighbors, and co-workers) enjoyed a long and rich life. He will be remembered as a faithful and devoted husband, a loving dad, a proud Pa Pa, an avid Alabama fan, and a humble Christian man, content to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
He was born at home in Frisco City, AL on October 22, 1932, an only child to Lamar and Lola Mae Byrd. Life was more difficult after his father died at Bill’s young age of 13, but he and his mother continued to build a life for themselves in Frisco City. A football and basketball player for Frisco City High School, he met an Excel High School cheerleader, Bobbie Dove, and the two were married on August 9, 1953.
Soon after his 1950 high school graduation, Bill joined the United States Air Force. His four-year military service took him to Korea during the Korean War, as well as assignments at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, TX, at Chillicothe Business School in MO, at Robins AFB in Macon, GA, and at Bolling Air Force base in Washington, D.C. He received an early discharge to attend college at the University of Alabama where he majored in mechanical engineering. Daughter Selinda was born during Bill’s final college term in May of 1958.
Bill accepted a job at Chemstrand in Pensacola, FL soon after college graduation and his family of three relocated from Tuscaloosa, AL to the panhandle of Florida. In October of 1964, their family grew to four as they welcomed son Scott. The ensuing years were filled with family life and vacations, fishing, occasional scuba diving excursions, reading, remodeling their house, and his job at Monsanto (formerly Chemstrand). Bill and Bobbie purchased a beach cottage on East Bay where the family enjoyed weekends and summers for many years.
Work took Bobbie and Bill to Guntersville, AL in the fall of 1977 for four years until the Sand Mountain plant closed. Bill was then sent to school at Washington University in St Louis, MO for a year, but chose to settle near Pensacola, FL when the opportunity arose after his schooling was complete.
In 1982, Bill and Bobbie bought their current house and property out in Molino, FL. Bill retired from Monsanto in 1985, after 27 years of service. Post-retirement years were filled with travel, especially drives cross-country to Oregon to visit their daughter’s family. When at home, Bill spent happy hours doing projects out in his shop, while listening to his beloved country music and tunes from the 1940’s & 1950’s. He cherished his role as loving Pa Pa when his two grandchildren visited from the west coast. When his health declined and mobility became a struggle, he spent more time indoors, reading, watching TV, & enjoying peaceful country living.
For a number of years, Bill was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. He held various positions of service such as Chairman of the Trustees and Chairman of the Building Committee during the building of the church’s Sunday school wing. He attended the men’s club. Sadly, as he got older and could not hear well or move around as easily, his participation decreased.
Too, as he aged, Bill battled health issues, including diabetes, heart problems, and difficulty with mobility. He was severely ill the last six months of his life with a number of random serious conditions that forced him to spend much time in the hospital and multiple Rehab facilities. His final days were spent at home where he was cared for by his wife, Bobbie, with the help of the “earthly angels” of Covenant Hospice. God called Bill home on April 22, 2021.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Lamar Byrd, and his 107-year-old mother, Lola Mae Cohron Byrd Loth.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Bobbie Dove Byrd, his daughter Selinda and son-in-law Dan Smith of West Linn, OR, his son Scott and daughter-in-law Tobbe Byrd of Gulf Breeze, FL, his two grown grandchildren: Ryan Smith of Charleston, SC and Lauren Smith of West Linn, OR,
and his beloved 4-legged canine children, Roxie and Rascal.
A quiet man, not prone to many words and not overly sentimental, Bill was nonetheless a man of integrity and character, who valued honesty and hard work. He loved his family with all his heart, spent his entire life providing well for them, and was loved and cherished in return. He leaves behind a legacy of service to his country, his community, his workplace, and his church. And he leaves behind an even greater legacy of love and pride for his family, as well as a wealth of warm memories that will forever live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him.
Attempted Murder Suspect Leads High Speed Chase Across Two States
April 27, 2021
An double attempted murder suspect led law enforcement on a high speed chase across multiple counties in Florida and Alabama Tuesday afternoon before wrecking on an Alabama interstate.
The suspect was identified as 28-year old Scottie Dale Robinson of Atmore.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office pursued a silver Lexus believed to be occupied by Robinson northbound on Highway 29 from the Cantonment to Highway 97. The pursuit continued north of Atmore toward Monroe County, Alabama. Alabama State Troopers became involved in the chase, and the suspect vehicle wrecked on I-65 near the 87 mile marker, about six miles south of the Highway 84 Evergreen exit.
Robinson was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Scottie Robinson is facing attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting his brother, 33-year old Gregory Lavon Robinson, and 19-year old Oneius Cotz White on Sunday in Atmore.
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said Gregory Robinson arrived at Atmore Community Hospital with gunshot wounds about 10:45 Sunday night. He was airlifted to an undisclosed hospital.
Brooks said police determined the shooting occurred after a disturbance at a residence near the 100 block of 6th Avenue. Officers responded and found White suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and then also airlifted to another hospital.
Further details will be posted as released.
During the chase, schools including Tate High School were placed on lockdown or another precautionary status.
Mugshot is from a previous arrest in 2019.
Pictured: An attempted murder suspect crashed on I-65 near Evergreen, Alabama, Tuesday afternoon following a chase that began in Escambia County, Florida. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wanted Molino Man Arrested On Multiple Felony Warrants
April 27, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has captured a Molino man wanted on multiple charges.
Hunter Grant Myrick, age 31 or Ayer Street in Molino, was captured Tuesday morning at a residence in the area of Molino Road and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Last week, NorthEscambia.com reported that the ECSO said he was wanted on two counts of failure to appear, grand theft of a vehicle, two counts of fleeing and eluding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, kidnapping and driving while license suspended as a habitual offender.
Myrick was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants when deputies spotted him on April 20, but he fled, according to the ECSO. During the incident, he refused to stop and let a female out of the vehicle, leading to the kidnapping charge, ECSO spokesperson Amber Southard said.
West Florida Library Board Meets In Century In Apparent Sunshine Law Violation
April 27, 2021
The West Florida Public Libraries (WFPL) Board of Governance held a meeting in Century Monday afternoon in apparent violation of Florida’s Sunshine Laws.
The meeting was held at the Century Branch Library beginning after 4 p.m. Two legal notices for the meeting, published by Escambia County April 17 and April 24 in the Pensacola News Journal, stated the meeting would be held at 4 p.m. on April 26 at 239 North Spring Street — the address of the Main Library downtown. The meeting was not in Escambia County’s website list of public meetings for April, and it was not posted on the West Florida Libraries website, which stated “There are no upcoming events at this time”. An Escambia County news release “BCC Weekly Meeting Schedule April 26 — April 30, 2021″ listed the meeting as being downtown.
County Attorney said Monday night that she will investigate.
Florida’s Sunshine Law requires that adequate public notice be given for public meetings, including time and the correct location.
NorthEscambia.com learned Monday afternoon that the meeting was actually underway in Century.
Shortly after our arrival at the meeting about 5:15 p.m., WFPL Director Todd Humble paused board discussion to recognize that we had arrived, and NorthEscambia.com raised concerns that the meeting was in violation of the Sunshine Law. Board member Robin Reshard told Humble that our comments could wait.
The board continued discussion about policies and procedures for about 10 more minutes before Humble returned focus to our concerns. He said the correct information was sent to the county, and the county’s Community and Media Relations (CMR) Department had advertised the wrong location.
“We were not trying to hide anything here,” Humble said. “I know the county website thing, that’s 100% on the county because they were given the agenda stuff specifically.”
“I am going to call the person that’s over the CMR office, because this mistake is not acceptable,” he said. He then tried to place calls to someone at CMR and the county attorney’s office, but no one answered.
The board then launched discussion if the meeting would in fact violate the Sunshine Law, as Humble had advised them multiple times that it would due to the improper location in the legal advertisement. In the meantime, an unsuccessful attempt was made to find a copy the PNJ advertisement, and discussion continued among board members about rescheduling the meeting and the location of future meetings.
After the board adjourned about 5:45 p.m., board members remained for snacks that had been provided — doughnuts, pretzel chips, guacamole, sodas and other items. Much of the chatter was about roses and other non-library business, but at least two members had a nearly inaudible discussion concerning the board until interrupted by Humble. By about 6 p.m. board members had all cleared the library.
Two members — Bryant and Reshard — were seen still talking in the parking lot after 6:30.
It should be noted that the Sunshine Law does not prevent board members from speaking to each other in ordinary conversation outside a meeting.
“Members of a public board or commission are not prohibited under the Sunshine Law from meeting together socially, provided that matters which may come before the board or commission are not discussed at such gatherings,” the 2021 Florida Government in the Sunshine Manual states.
However, any discussion that might take place between board members during the refreshments, or in the parking lot, would be a violation of Florida law if it concerned library business.
“Accordingly, the law is applicable to any gathering, whether formal or casual, of two or more members of the same board or commission to discuss some matter on which foreseeable action will be taken by the public board or commission,” the Sunshine Manual states.
Other than NorthEscambia.com, no one from the public attended the library board meeting Monday in Century.
Humble said the library board’s next meeting in May would be scheduled for Century and would be properly advertised.
Editor’s note: The West Florida Library System is a function of Escambia County, as is the Century Branch Library. The Town of Century has no control of the Century Branch Library and no member on the five-member library board. Three library board members are appointed by the Escambia County Commission. One is appointed by the Pensacola City Council, and one is appointed by the mayor of Pensacola.
Pictured top: West Florida Public Libraries Director Todd Humble (far left), and Board of Governance members (L-R) Robin Reshard, Grace Buenatista, and Bradley Vinson during a meeting Monday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. Pictured inset: Humble attempts to call someone from Escambia County Community and Media Relations. Board member Dr. Laura Bryant is seen in the background. Pictured below: Reshard and Bryant remained the Century Branch Library parking lot at 6:33 p.m. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mostly Sunny, Near 80 For Tuesday
April 27, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Beulah Middle School Kids Have Named Their (Goat) Kids. Meet…
April 27, 2021
Those absolutely super adorable goats born a couple of weeks ago at Beulah Middle School now have names picked by the students.
Through the school-wide vote using change, $147.94 was raised for the animals and two names were chosen.
Meet Nugget, the black and white cutie pictured on the left, and Hazel pictured on the right.
(For more news about the goats, and we must warn you that it’s very sad and may not be kid friendly, scroll down below the photos.)
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
There actually three goats born two weeks ago at Beulah Middle School. Sadly, the third goat did not survive.
Cyber Tip Lead To Search Warrant, Arrest For Child Porn
April 27, 2021
A tip line report led to the arrest of an Escambia County man on child pornography charges.
Fallon Matthew Coburger, age 46 of Ridge Road, was charged with 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after receiving a CyberTipline lead from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding an internet user uploading child sexual abuse material.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, SWAT., Crime Scene Unit and ECSO Cadets, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations served a search warrant in the 700 block of Ridge Road, in the area of East 10 Mile Road and Chemstrand Road.
They found images depicting children as young as four-years old engaged in sexual acts, according to the ECSO. Coburger was arrested by ECSO’s lead investigator, Jeremy Horn.
Coburger remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
Two Escambia County, Alabama, Men Charged In Downtown Pensacola Shooting
April 27, 2021
Two Escambia County, Alabama, men have been charged in connection with a shots fired incident about 2 a.m. Saturday in front of a downtown Pensacola restaurant.
Nicholas Devon Hudson, 27, of Atmore was arrested at the scene and charged with discharging a firearm in a public place, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting an officer. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,000 bond.
Robert Willis McCaskill, 51, of Brewton, fled and was arrested Monday in Escambia County, Alabama, and will be extradited to Escambia County, Florida, to face charges of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and criminal mischief.
Pensacola Police said McCaskill was inside his vehicle when he shot at Hudson as he walked in front of the Jordan Valley Restaurant. Hudson returned fire, according to PPD.
The restaurant was hit by the gunfire, damaging the front door. There were no injuries reported.
According to reports, the incident was witnessed by a
Pictured above: Suspects Nicholas Hudson (left) and Robert Willis McCaskill.
Travis Nelson Park In Bratt Remains Open As Parking Lot Is Paved
April 27, 2021
The Travis Nelson Park in Bratt remains open as work is underway to pave the parking lot.
Park visitors can park alongside Bratt Road to access the park during the construction.
Travis Nelson Park is named for fallen U.S. Marine LCpl Travis M. Nelson. The Escambia County park is at the corner of West Highway 4 and Bratt Road, just west of Northview High School
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Records 25 New COVID-19 Cases
April 27, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 25 new COVID-19 cases reported in Escambia County Monday by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 35,755 (+25)
Non-Florida residents: 3,670
Recovered: 33,243*
Total deaths: 675
Long-term care facility deaths: 281
Current hospitalizations: 38
Number of tests reported last day: 381
Percent positive reported last day: 5.4%
Percent positive reported last week: 6.5%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 26,750 (+24)
Cantonment: 3,207
Century: 1,175
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 490
McDavid: 212
Bellview: 58
Walnut Hill: 54
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,087 (+5)
Non-Florida residents: 247
Total deaths: 284
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 894*
Number of tests reported last day: 137
Percent positive reported last day: 3.5%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,631 (+3)
Navarre: 3,731 (+2)
Gulf Breeze: 3,336
Pace: 1,464
Jay: 550
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,212,097
Florida residents: 2,170,655
Deaths: 34,912
Hospitalizations: 89,534
*“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.