Gary Doyle Cooper
September 20, 2021
Gary Doyle Cooper, 66, of Cantonment, Florida, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, September 17, 2021. Gary was born on December, 23, 1954, to the late Leslie Doyle Cooper and Betty Loftin Merian. He graduated from Pensacola High School in the Class of 1972.
Before retirement, Gary was employed as a Maintenance Supervisor at Monsanto/Solutia Performance Material. He served in many other roles and stayed busy after retirement with his family and friends. He was a proud Freemason and Shriner throughout the majority of his life. Throughout his life, Gary enjoyed going to all sorts of car races and shows, traveling, fishing, finding good bargains, and being the best husband, dad, and friend to so many.
Gary is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kim Cooper; three sons, Cody Cooper, Zach Cooper, and Kyle Cooper; two brothers, Terry Cooper and Keith (Angela) Cooper; step-mother, Annie Ruth Cooper; step-brother, Larry Carraway; and many great aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with funeral services from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will be held shortly after the ceremony at Pensacola Memorial Gardens, 7433 Pine Forest Rd.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Linda W. Hudson
September 20, 2021
Linda W. Hudson, age 60, of Oak Grove, FL passed away on September 17, 2021, in Pensacola, FL. She was born on May 18, 1961 in Fort Belvoir, VA to the late Donald and Florence Stefani Wright. She was a member of Cantonment Baptist Church and a homemaker who was dedicated to taking care of her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Charles Wright.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Hudson of Oak Grove, FL; her son, Ryan Hudson of Oak Grove; her daughter, Kim (James) Brown of Oak Grove; her brother, Larry (Mary Jean) Wright of Pensacola, FL; her grandchildren, Abby Brown and AJ Brown and her sister-in –law, Merry Wright.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Oak Grove, FL with Rev. Will Stone officiating.
Interment was at Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be James Brown, Josh Hudson, Justin Nichols, Edward Hudson, Terry Grey and Justin Hetrick.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Merle Harris Tolin
September 20, 2021
Merle Harris Tolin, born April 5, 1944; homegoing September 17, 2021.
Merle was born to Fletcher Alexander and Lula Dale Davis Harris.
She is preceded in death her parents; her husband, Herman E. Tolin; her children, Sheila Marie Tolin and Angie Marie Tolin and her siblings, Imogene Harris Brown and Robert Harris.
She is survived by her sons, Herman Roy Tolin and James Floyd (Tammy) Tolin of Atmore, AL; her grandson, James Benjamin “Bean” Tolin all of Atmore, AL; her siblings, Elbert Harris of Elberta, AL, Will Harris, Charles Harris, Ronnie Lee Harris and Larry (Patricia) Harris all of Goodway, AL; Ed (Patricia) Harris and James (Linda) Harris of Frisco City, AL; Clyde (Lindy) Harris of Monroeville, AL; Annie Harris and Mary Ann (Artie) Tillman of Fairhope, AL along with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 24, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Bro. Clarence Rolin officiating.
Interment will follow at Mineola Cemetery in Mineola, AL.
Active pallbearers will be Tommy Davis, Terry Godwin, Larry Harris, Jason Dunn, Ed Davis and James Harris.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 24, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Gerald D. McBride
September 20, 2021
Gerald D. McBride, 71 of Walnut Hill, FL. passed away September 15, 2021, in Walnut Hill. He was born on June 15, 1950, to the late Bill Douglas and Lula O. Smith McBride. He served in the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. He was a member of Walnut Hill Baptist Church and served in law enforcement but was a wielder by trade.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Bobby Taylor; Carolyn Mock and his first wife Linda McBride.
He is survived by his wife Gorma Barley McBride of Walnut Hill, FL; one son; Shawn (Carleen) McBride of Atmore, AL; Sandra McBride of Bay Minette, AL and his sister Patricia (Feldman) Frymire of Atmore, AL; five grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, September 19, 2021 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Rev. Ted Bridges officiating.
Interment was in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jim Steele, Earl Baldree, Austin Menchaca, Justin Whatley, Jerry Poulson and Matthew Reynolds.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Walnut Hill Baptist Church building fund at 5741 Arthur Brown Road, Walnut Hill, FL 32568.
Facial masks and the use of social distancing are optional but is recommended by the family due to the current health care crisis.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
One Injured When Pickup Flips Near Oak Grove
September 19, 2021
One person was injured when a pickup truck rolled over near Oak Grove Sunday morning.
The driver of the Ford Super Duty lost control in double curves on North Highway 99 south of Breastworks Road about 7:45 a.m. The truck overturned, coming to rest upright on the shoulder of the road.
The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mark Your Calendar: 30,000 Pound Food Giveaway Next Saturday In Cantonment
September 19, 2021
A 30,000 pound food giveaway will be held next Saturday, September 25 in Cantonment.
The event will take place on a first come, first served basis from 8-10 a.m. at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street. The giveaway is sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman, Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Pinewood Presbyterian Church, Cantonment Improvement Committee and Trailer Parts Plus of Florida.
Organizers say they plan to hold the large food distribution once per quarter.
Cantonment Lodge Adopts Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher
September 19, 2021
Cantonment Masonic Lodge #322 has adopted Ernest Ward Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) teacher Alexander Fitzgerald (pictured in brown jacket). The Lodge presented Fitzgerald with a $250 donation and a donation of supplies recently. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Sticks Around Into Tuesday, Then A Taste Of Fall Midweek
September 19, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 84. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 57.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
By The Numbers: Escambia Reports 1,233 New COVID-19 Cases
September 19, 2021
There were 1,233 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Baptist, Ascension Sacred Heart and West Florida hospitals reported a combined 224 COVID-19 hospitalizations..
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 51,382 (+1,233)
Positivity rate last week: 17.3%
Current total hospitalizations: 224
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 220
Under age 18 hospitalized: 4
Total deaths last 7 days: 26 (CDC data)
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 147,016 (+1,680)
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 52.7%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 43.7%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 30,625 (+811)
Positivity rate last week: 18.9%
People vaccinated: 85,784 (+1,088)
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 53%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,485,163 (+75,906)
Case positivity rate: 11.2%
Deaths: 51,240 (+384)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate The number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities is no longer provided by FDOH.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Spots To Watch
September 19, 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 lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 through Saturday, Sept. 25. 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 installation of pier lighting.
- 17th Avenue interchange construction – 17th Avenue southbound is closed at Gregory Street. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and the boat launch remains open from 17th Avenue.
- 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. In addition, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between North Pace Boulevard and approximately D Street as crews perform median improvement work. Motorists are reminded the speed between Dominguez Street and A Street is 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter intermittent east and westbound traffic shifts between Pine Forest Road and U.S. 29 to allow crews to pave driveway tie-ins and place the final layer of asphalt.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road (C.R.) 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Sept. 20 as crews place a watermain.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from South of Muscogee Road (C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Sept. 19 through Friday, Sept. 24 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- S.R. 298 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20 Thursday, Sept. 21 as crews perform paving operations and other construction activities
- Burgess Road (S.R. 742) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, as crews repair a gas line.
- Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) Construction Activities at Sorrento Road – There will be southbound intermittent lane closures at the intersection of Sorrento Road 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 through Thursday, Sept. 23 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 29 Turn Lane Construction at the new Circle K Store – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures between West Roberts Road and Crowe Lane 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20 through Thursday, Sept. 23.
Santa Rosa County
- 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, Sept. 19 through Saturday, Sept. 24. 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 installation of pier lighting.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are no anticipated traffic impacts.
- 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 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 through Thursday, Sept. 23 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Nine Mile Road at the North Palafox intersection, as seen from the Highway 29 overpass. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.