Andrew Levy Cooper
September 24, 2021
Andrew Levy Cooper, 81, resident of Prattville, AL, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 24, 2021.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 2:00 pm from Prattville Memory Gardens with Elder Tom Corley and Elder Daniel Dean officiating and Prattville Memorial directing.
Visitation will be held on Monday at Prattville Memorial from 1:00 until 2:00 pm.
Mr. Cooper was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Fannie Cooper; three sisters, Ruby Jean Cooper, Esther Piggott, Sue Hines; two brothers, Earl Cooper and Carl Ray Cooper.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette Wiggins Cooper; one daughter, Tammi Davis (Trent); two sons, Todd Cooper (Shari) and Andy Cooper (Heather); nine grandchildren, Zachary Davis (Candice), Zan Johnson (Brett), Dori Cooper, Kaylee Cooper, Jessica Ridley, Paige Mullins, Kate Cooper, Andrew Cooper and Blaine Cooper; seven great-grandchildren, Leena, Isaac, Levi, Harper, Brantley, William and Ivey; extended family and friends.
Pallbearers will be Trent Davis, Zachary Davis, Allen Bingham, Dennis Wiggins, Phillip Cornett and Wyatt Cornett.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Harold Cox, Andrew Cooper and Blaine Cooper. Flowers accepted or memorials may be made in his honor to Montgomery Primitive Baptist Church, 1814 Seasons Drive, Prattville, AL 36066.
The family requests that everyone please wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Cameron Eugene Lowrey
September 24, 2021
Cameron Eugene Lowrey – age 23 of Knoxville was called home on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, after a lengthy battle with covid. Cameron was an avid NASCAR fan, die hard wrestling fan, and a talented gamer. He loved photography and was very talented at taking photos and videos. He was also an enthusiast of the Japanese culture. Cameron was known for his big, amazing heart and the love he showed his family, friends, pets, and the love of his life. Everyone loved Cameron instantaneously with his fun-loving personality, witty charm, half smirk smile, and crazy hair. Cameron will forever be missed.
Preceded in death by grandparents, Ronald Whitfield, Sr. and Brenda Forbes; and great grandfather, Jesse Whitfield.
Survived by parents, Teresa and John DeFriece; sister, Brianna DeFriece; brother, Nicholas Adams; father, Milton (Jessica) Lowrey, Jr.; girlfriend, Desiré Best; grandparents, Milton Sr. and Susan Lowrey, Bill and JoAnn Gardner; great grandmother, Catherine Whitfield; aunts and uncles, Candace and David Baxley, Garrett Lowrey, Ron Whitfield, Jr., Suzan and Jason Baker, Shay and Eric Parker, Beau Sneed; and many cousins, great aunts, and great uncles.
The family will receive friends 1:00-3:00 PM Sunday, September 26, 2021, at Bridges Funeral Home followed by the funeral service at 3:00 PM with Rev. Cliff Amos officiating.
Man Wanted For Questioning In Connect With Murder Of Ladarius Clardy
September 23, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Quaderis Deon Stallworth for questioning only in connection with the homicide of Ladarius Clardy.
Stallworth, 19, is considered armed and dangerous, according to the sheriff’s office.
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was shot and found dead in a vehicle crash. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine at Hollywood Avenue and Fairfield Drive about 1 a.m. on July 1.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Stallworth is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Tropical Storm Sam Forms In The Atlantic, Expected To Become Major Hurricane
September 23, 2021
Tropical Storm Sam has formed in the Atlantic and is forecast to become a hurricane in next day or two and a major hurricane in about three days.
It is too early to tell exactly where Sam will go, and it’s expected to slow down. Models show the storm won’t near the Lesser Antilles until the middle of next week. Most of the early computer models curl Sam away from the United States by late next weekend, but it’s important to stay updated for any possible changes.
The latest information on Sam is in the graphics on this page.
Gary Diamond Of Molino Honored Posthumously As Florida’s Career Firefighter Of The Year
September 23, 2021
A firefighter from Molino was posthumously honored as Florida’s Career Firefighter of the Year in a ceremony this week in the Senate Chamber of the Florida Capitol.
Gary Diamond’s wife Cindy accepted the honor on his behalf from Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis.
Diamond was murdered at his Molino home on December 26, 2020.
“Gary was known as influence on others with the experience and passion to build a strong fire service community,” Patronis said, “dedicating his time to train younger generations of firefighters.”
Diamond joined the Ensley Volunteer Fire Department in 1982 before transferring to the Molino Volunteer Firefighter. He worked his way through the ranks to assistant chief of the Molino Volunteer Fire Department in 1987 and went on to serve as Molino chief from November 1992 to September 1993. He left Escambia in County 2006 to pursue his career calling as a firefighter and EMT at Navarre Beach where he retired as a captain to return home to take care of a family member. At the time of his death, he was volunteering as a fleet transport driver for Escambia Fire Rescue, moving fire apparatus around the county as needed.
“Gary suffered a tragic death in December 2020 doing what he has been know to do his entire career, which was selflessly protecting others at the expense of his own life,” stated a proclamation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, CFO and Fire Marshal Patronis, and Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried.
Diamond was among several members of Florida’s firefighting community honored for their outstanding accomplishments in the fire service industry recognized during the 2021 Fire Service Awards. Each individual or facility was nominated and selected by various fire service organizations across Florida.
Pictured above: Late firefighter Gary Diamond (left). His wife Cindy (right) accepted the Florida’s Career Firefighter of the Year honors on behalf of her late husband this week in the Florida Senate Chamber.
Fallen Escambia Fire Chief Dwain Bradshaw Among 18 Added To Florida Memorial
September 23, 2021
Taps played this week in the Florida Capitol Courtyard as 18 fallen firefighters were honored for answering their final call and making the ultimate sacrifice.
One of the 18 names now inscribed on the Florida Fallen Firefighter Memorial is Escambia County Fire Rescue District Chief Dwain S. Bradshaw.
Bradshaw, 41, lost his life early on the morning November 2019 in the line of duty on scene of a fatal crash on the Muscogee Bridge. He was a volunteer district chief at the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, volunteer assistant district chief for the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, and lived a life of public service.
Bradshaw was also a Department of Defense firefighter at Naval Air Station Pensacola, an U.S. Army veteran, a member of the Mississippi Air National Guard and a former police officer in Bay Minette.
Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis hosted a ‘Ringing of the Bell’ ceremony to honor Florida’s fallen firefighters. He was joined by Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.
“With each ring, we mark the ending of a final call for the brave souls honored on these walls, the ones who lost their lives bravely and with honor. This year, as we reflect on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 and the tragic condo collapse in Surfside, it further emphasizes for everyone the tremendous sacrifices our first responders give to keep our communities safe. God bless these fallen heroes and their families,” Patronis said.
“We honor Florida’s firefighters who answered the call for service but did not come home. They dedicated their life to their communities and paid the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations In Escambia County The Lowest Since July
September 23, 2021
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Escambia County have fallen to their lowest level since July 30.
On September 22, there were 158 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. That compares to 236 a week ago and nearly 400 about a month ago.
At Ascension Sacred Heart, there were 72 people being treated for COVID-19 on Wednesday, down from 110 one week ago. More than 90 percent of the hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Ascension Sacred Heart are not vaccinated.
“The continued decline in hospitalizations is good news for the community and our healthcare staff,” said Dawn Rudolph, president of Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola. “But this is not the time COVID-19 to think the threat is going away. We encourage everyone to help us stop COVID-19 spread by wearing masks in congested indoor spaces, social distancing, and, most important, getting the vaccine. Everyone in our community plays a critical role in keeping us safe from this virus.”
Chart data sources: Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. Graphic: City of Pensacola.
Cooler Weather: Fall Arrives With Lows In The 50s
September 23, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 53. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
District 5 Cantonment, Farm Hill Neighborhood Cleanup Day Is Friday.
September 23, 2021
Residents of a portion of Cantonment and Farm Hill can dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge during a District 5 Neighborhood Cleanup this Friday.
The event was postponed from last week due to weather.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 3,509 tons (7,018,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
The county’s neighborhood cleanup program is hosted by the Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program. Local partners include Escambia County Waste Services, Environmental Code Enforcement, Public Works, Animal Services and Road Prison, along with the City of Pensacola Sanitation Department and Keep Pensacola Beautiful. During the cleanups, county staff handle issues such as roaming dogs and cats, unsafe structures, tree trimming, right of way mowing, street sweeping, household hazardous waste recycling and more.
ECSO Launches Program To Alert First Responders To Those With Autism
September 23, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has launched a new program to alert all first responders that an autistic person may reside in a home or be an occupant in a vehicle.
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is committed to keeping all Escambia County residents safe,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “This includes those with autism and their families.”
The new “Occupant with Autism” program provides decals at no charge that can be placed on the door or front window of a home, or on the rear window of a vehicle. The decal acts as a symbol, allowing first responders to know that they’re may be a person inside with autism. ECSO deputies will then know to approach the situation using their autism training skills.
To participate in the program, click or tap here to fill out a form and the decals will be mailed free of charge. If persons do not want to place the decal on their home or vehicle, their information can still be flagged in the ECSO system.
“The more information deputies have when responding to a call, the better,” Simmons said.
