Gaines D. Wroten
November 8, 2021
Gaines D. Wroten passed away on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at West Florida Hospital due to complications from COVID at age 91. His loving Daughter and son-in-law were with him at his bedside.
Services for Gaines will be held Thursday, November 11th at 5:00 p.m. in Pensacola at Faith Chapel (South) with Dr. Spencer officiating. Burial services will be conducted in the city of Decatur, Mississippi at Decatur Cemetery on Saturday, November 13th at 11:00 a.m. where he will be laid to rest beside his late wife.
The Decatur, Mississippi native was a proud Veteran of the US Navy serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1968 after 20 years of active duty. Gaines was also a retired ESCO Mechanic where he was the night foreman. He lived with his daughter, Debbie and her husband Son, in Cantonment, Florida for the last 14 years of his life.
Survivors include his son Michael Wroten, wife Gail; daughter Debbie Wroten, husband Son; step daughter Peggy Harrison, significant other Jim; nieces Mildred Pence and Mary Jo Robison; nephew Henry Wroten; Grandchildren Ray Adkins, Pat Carlton, Ruthie Adkins, Brenda Lamb, Richard Luce, Lisa Chandler and “Little” Gaines Wroten; twenty-one great children plus sixteen great great grandchildren and many dear friends.
Gaines is preceded in death by his parents Dewey and Emma Lou Wroten, brother Willie Joe Wroten, sister Ruth Pippen, his wife of 55 years Lenora Wroten, his step daughter Nelda Luce and her husband Les Luce.
Pallbearers: Ray Adkins, Crick Ross, Tom Lebert, Jimmy Dale Rainer
Honorary Pallbearers: Jim Roberts & Henry Wroten
Florida Gas Prices Back Off 2021 High
November 8, 2021
Florida’s average gas price is backing off the 2021 high of $3.32 per gallon. The state average is now $3.28 per gallon, after declining 3 cents last week.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.29. A North Escambia low of $3.22 was at one Cantonment station Sunday night, while four Pensacola stations were at $3.13 or below.
The price of crude oil – which has been the main driver of rising gas prices this year – dropped 7% last week, as domestic oil production and stocks logged weekly gains. It was the first real sign of weakness in the oil market in a month. Unfortunately for motorists, half of that oil price drop was erased by the end of the week, as fuel demand continues to outpace global supplies. The price for U.S. oil settled at $81.27 per barrel, down $2.30 (3%) from the week before – lowering the cost of producing gasoline.
“Gas prices may inch a little lower this week, following the recent declines in the oil and gasoline futures market,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Despite the setback, significant upward pressure remains in the oil market. Prices are still at 7-year highs and are likely to remain elevated through the holiday season, which will in turn keep upward pressure on prices at the pump.”
Joseph Daniel Terry
November 8, 2021
Joseph Daniel Terry, age 71, of Atmore, AL passed away in November 8, 2021 in Mobile, AL. He was born on December 30, 1949 in Century, FL to Joseph Walker and Jewel Wise Terry. He was the owner and operator of Terry’s Corner Store. He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Susan Moore Terry of Atmore, AL; his sons, Joseph Christopher Terry (Kaye Carpenter) of Atmore, AL, and Jonathan Ross Terry of Atmore, AL; and his grandchildren, Laura Grace Terry, Susan Elizabeth Terry, Joseph John Terry and Jorge Walker “J.W.” Terry.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Henry Wilson officiating. Interment will follow at Judson Cemetery in Poarch, AL.
Active pallbearers will be Bernard Etheridge, Chet Helton, Bobby Kimbrel, Rodney Owens, Glenn Helton and Foster Kyser.
Honorary pallbearer will be Johnny Moore.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
William “Stony” Calloway
November 8, 2021
William “Stony” Calloway, age 83, of Pace, Florida, born September 8,1938, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Friday, November 5, 2021. He was surrounded by family and supported by friends.
Stony attended and graduated from Fairhope High School Class of 1958 where he was the Captain of the Football Team and star Running Back. He was retired from Monsanto of Pensacola after 32 years of service as a Project Engineer. Stony also served eight years in the Army National Guard. He was a member of Pace Assembly of God Church where he served on the Board of Directors. Stony was a charter member of the Pensacola Bass Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting, and sports.
He was the oldest of five children born to Alfred and Louise Calloway; three brothers, Jim Calloway, Hardy Calloway and Dave Calloway; and a sister, Betty Calloway.
Stony is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Louise Calloway; and two brothers, Jim Calloway and Hardy Calloway.
Stony is survived by his wife, Joan Herrage Calloway, of 60 years of marriage; two children, Cindy (Patrick) Nooner and Billy (Kim) Calloway; seven grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at Pace Assembly of God Church, in Pace, Florida, with Rev. Joey Rogers and Rev. Glenn Lowery officiating. Burial will follow services at Elizabeth Chapel Community Cemetery, with Lewis Funeral Home directing.
Visitation will follow services 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., prior to the service.
At 103, Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Breaks His Own World Record As ‘World’s Oldest Conductor’
November 7, 2021
At 103-years old, Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment broke his own world record Saturday night in Washington, D.C.
Two years ago, he set the Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” as he conducted “The Stars and Stripes Forever” at the Pensacola Civic Band’s Memorial Day Concert in May 2019.
Saturday night, he led the U.S. Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note in Glenn Miller’s iconic “In the Mood” at the American Veteran Center’s “America Valor: A Salute to our Heroes” at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington.
Wearing a Hawaiian print shirt with a Pearl Harbor Survivor patch, Emond turned to the crowd, smiling and waving as he received a standing ovation.
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He went into action, evacuating the dead and wounded.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968. Emond continued to perform with the Pensacola Civic Band and lead music at Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
Pictured above and below: Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment breaks his own Guinness World Record Saturday night as the “World’s Oldest Conductor” at age 103. Pictured first below: Emond turned to the crowd, smiling and waving as he received a standing ovation. Images courtesy American Veterans Center for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fall Back — Why Not Keep Daylight Saving Time Year Round In Florida?
November 7, 2021
Florida enacted year-round Daylight Saving Time years ago, but that is not yet the case.
In March 2021, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio led Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent across the country
This week, Florida “fell back” and turned our clocks back an hour to Standard Time, something Rubio called “this annual craziness of changing the clock, falling back, springing forward”.
“We need to stop doing it. There is no justification for it. Let’s go to permanent Daylight Saving Time,” he said. “The overwhelming majority of members of Congress approve and support it. Let’s get it done. Let’s get it passed, so that we never have to do this stupid change again.”
Rubio first introduced the legislation in the 115th Congress, and reflects the Florida legislature’s 2018 enactment of year-round DST; however, for Florida’s change to apply, a change in the federal statute is required. Nineteen other states — Arkansas, Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming — have passed similar laws, resolutions or voter initiatives, and dozens more are looking.
The legislation, if enacted, would apply to those states who currently participate in DST, which states observe for eight months out of the year. Standard Time, from November to March, is only observed for four months out of the year. The bill would simply negate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year. Many studies have shown that making DST permanent could benefit the economy and the country.
Standard Time continues until Sunday, March 13, 2022.
Photos: Saturday’s Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
November 7, 2021
Thousands attended the 75th anniversary Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show Saturday at Pensacola Beach.
For a photo gallery from Saturday click or tap here.
For a photo gallery from Friday, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Fatal Hit And Run Crash Suspect
November 7, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a suspect after a fatal hit and run pedestrian crash Saturday in Escambia County.
A pickup truck was traveling westbound on Mobile Highway and struck a pedestrian that was on the shoulder of the road east of Buckingham Road.
The pickup fled the scene after the crash, and the 57-year old male pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene.
From vehicle parts recovered at the crash site, FHP determined that the pickup is possibly a 2014-2015 Toyota Tacoma with right side damage.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Corporal Diaz or Trooper Van Pelt at (850) 245-1402 or *FHP.
Sunny And Nice Days, Clear Cold Nights
November 7, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 44. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the evening.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Veterans Day: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
November 7, 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
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 through Saturday, Nov. 13. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8 through Friday, Nov. 12 as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures between the following locations as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- A and N Streets (inside lane closures)
- Q and N Streets (intermittent outside lane closure)
- Kirk and R Streets (intermittent outside lane closure)
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers will encounter temporary intermittent shifts to allow crews to pave turn lanes, side streets, driveways, and the on- and off-ramps to Interstate 10 (I-10). Access to all businesses will be maintained. Traffic flaggers and signage will be in place to direct traffic.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate I-10 to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers 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 interchange.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Nov. 8 as crews place a watermain.
Santa Rosa County
- S.R. 87 Routine Maintenance East of Bob Tolbert Road in Navarre – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6 as crews perform concrete operations.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 through Saturday, Nov. 13. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. Additional work will include the installation of pier lighting.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River Bridge from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 through Thursday, Nov. 11 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance East of Whitsett Lane in Milton – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 as crews replace a utility pole.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are set to begin the week of Monday, Nov. 8. Improvements on the 4.25-mile section include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median; safety and drainage upgrades; resurfacing State Road 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge; extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard; and new signage and pavement markings.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.