Courts Closed On Thursday For Yom Kippur
September 15, 2021
Courts in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will be closed on Thursday.
The courts of the First Judicial Circuit will be closed on Thursday, September 16 in observance of Yom Kippur. Regular operations will resume on Friday, September 17.
Northview Loses District Match To Baker (With Gallery)
September 15, 2021
The Baker Gators beat the Northview Chiefs in three sets Tuesday night in volleyball district play in Bratt.
Baker defeated Northview 25-10, 25-20, 26-24.
With the loss, Northview sits at 0-1 in the district but 4-2 overall for the season. Baker is 4-1, 3-0 in the district. Northview travels to Jay on Thursday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gay C. Hassebrock
September 15, 2021
Gay C. Hassebrock, surrounded by her family, peacefully passed on Monday, September 13, 2021, at the age of 74. She was born on July 14, 1947, and was a longtime resident of Molino, FL. Gay was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Lyle Cleaveland and Lois Grace Munson Cleaveland; brother, Lyle Fred Cleaveland; and sister, Bonnie C. Donaldson.
Born and raised in Foley, AL, Gay was an active member of the Foley United Methodist Church. She spent her high school summers as a lifeguard at the city pool. Gay was a 1965 graduate of Foley High School and went on to attend Huntingdon College. She later transferred to the University of West Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Gay taught in both Santa Rosa and Escambia County school systems. Most of her 35 plus years were spent at Bratt Elementary School. Gay has been a member of Dogwood Park Baptist Church since the early 1980’s. Throughout the years, she was instrumental in organizing Vacation Bible School, as well as other church programs, and also served as the church Secretary and Treasurer. She attended a weekly women’s bible study in her pursuit to grow deeper in her faith. Gay was an avid reader, loved puzzles, movies, and Alabama football.
Gay is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Bennie Earl Hassebrock; daughters, Karla (Jamie) Bowlan, Brantley, AL and Brandy Bryan, Warner Robins GA; sons, Dean (Angela) Hassebrock and John (Sarah) Hassebrock, all of Molino FL; thirteen grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM, Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Dogwood Park Baptist Church, 3301 Highway 97, Molino, FL, with Pastor Phil Fischer and Pastor Russell Branch officiating. Burial will follow in Dogwood Park Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 10:00 AM prior to services.
Pallbearers will be Seth Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Parker Hassebrock, Caleb Hassebrock, Zachary Tipton, Garrett Montgomery, Jamie Bowlan, Jr., Andrew Bowlan, and Aaron Bowlan.
Ninth-Inning Homer From Sims Keeps Wahoos Alive In Postseason Hunt
September 15, 2021
Demetrius Sims broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth with a solo home run as the Wahoos came from behind to win the series opener 3-2 on Tuesday night at Toyota Field.
With the win, coupled with Birmingham’s loss to Montgomery, the Blue Wahoos are now 2.5 games out of the final AA-S playoff spot with only five games remaining in the season.
In the top of the ninth the Trash Pandas brought in Zach Liginfelter (L, 0-1) to try and keep the game at 2-2. With one out, Demetrius Sims belted a solo home run to right center to give Pensacola the winning run. Even though it was only Sims’s fourth home run of the season, it is the second time in two weeks that Sims has hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Colton Hock (S, 19) grinded his way to his league-leading 19th save of the year. After back-to-back one-out singles in the bottom of the ninth, Hock turned a spectacular double play to end the game. Luis Aviles Jr. smashed a ground ball up the middle that Hock somehow stopped with the glove. After a clean throw to second, Sims threw out Aviles out at first for a game-ending double play.
The Blue Wahoos took the lead in the bottom of the first thanks a double from Kameron Misner and a sac fly from JJ Bleday. Misner now has four doubles in his last three games for the Wahoos.
Pensacola’s 1-0 lead was short lived. After a leadoff single from Aviles, the Trash Pandas used a hit-by-pitch and a pair of walks from Kyle Nicolas to score Aviles and tie the game at 1-1.
After Rocket City took a 2-1 lead, the Wahoos tied the game in the top of the fourth. With Griffin Conine at third, Sims singled to right to bring home Conine and tie the game at 2-2. Sims finished the night with three hits tying his season high.
Kyle Nicolas grinded through five innings for the Blue Wahoos in what appears to be his final start of 2021. He allowed two runs on two hits in five innings of work. Despite walking five he also struck out five in the no decision.
The Blue Wahoos will try to make it four wins in a row in the Wednesday’s contest. Pensacola ace RHP Max Meyer (6-2, 2.56) will make his 20th start of the year and he will be opposed by RHP Christopher Molina (5-1, 4.36).
Eugene Lacy Wheeler II
September 15, 2021
The family of Eugene Lacy Wheeler II, mourns the loss of a beloved husband, father, son , and best friend, who passed away on Sunday, September 12, 2021.
Gene was born in Bratt, FL. on August 4, 1983. He graduated from Northview High School in 2001 and Bishop State Community in 2014. He worked as an Instrumentation and Electrical Technician at BASF in McIntosh, AL.
Gene’s favorite activities were hunting, fishing, family picnics, and spending time with his sons on the farm.
Gene was preceded in death by his grandparents, Thomas Henry and Lola Peebles, his grandfather Eugene Lacy Wheeler, and younger brother, Shawn Adam Wheeler.
Gene is survived by his wife of eight years, Anna Juck Wheeler, sons, Thomas Michael Wheeler, age five, and Dustin Eugene Wheeler, age two, parents, Tony and Becky Wheeler, relatives and friends.
A graveside service will be held Friday, September 17, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Pallbearers will be Robert Peebles, Derick Peebles, Jeremy Lisenby, Brandon Smith, Chantz Ziglar, Tyler Bozeman, and Erik Kirby.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Angel Studios, producers of “The Chosen”.
Patricia McGill Cooper
September 15, 2021
Patricia McGill Cooper, age 80, passed away on September 4, 2021 in Pensacola, FL. She was born on March 17, 1941 in Perdido, AL to the late Reece S. and Ruth Vaughn McGill. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Atmore, a homemaker and a substitute teacher with Escambia County High School for many years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert L. “Dale” Cooper; her daughter, Kathy
Cooper Patrick and her brother, Lowell McGill.
She is survived by her son, David (Linda) Cooper of Augusta, GA; her daughter, Becky (Bruce) Gentry of Cape Girardeau, MO; her sisters, Glennes Hadley of Perdido, AL and Diane Weaver of Silverhill, AL; six grandchildren along with several great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held Friday, September 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Atmore, AL with Rev. Arnold Hendrix and Rev. Keven Garrett officiating. Interment will follow at Perdido Baptist Church Cemetery in Perdido, AL.
Active pallbearers will be Steve McGill, Mark McGill, Bryan McGill, Randy Hadley, Phillip Hadley, Tim Hadley, Adam Weaver and Dylan Johnson.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
Century Botches Tax Increase, Budget For Next Year
September 14, 2021
The Century Town Council totally botched an attempt Monday to pass a tentative property tax increase and budget for the next fiscal year.
An agenda for the public hearing improperly indicated that property taxes would not increase. Council President Louis Gomez read from agenda, and with a 4-0 vote the council approved no property tax increase. But the resolution required, and signed at the end of the meeting by the council president, sets a different millage rate than discussed and actually includes a tax increase.
Century’s accountant, Robert Hudson, sat through the meeting and did not correct the council’s misguided actions. The mistake was caught by NorthEscambia.com and pointed out to town officials after the meeting. We were the only members of the public to attend the public hearing.
The mistakes invalidate signed resolutions tentatively raising taxes and setting a budget because that was not the council’s actual vote. The percent of the increase as stated in the resolution was also calculated wrong.
It was not clear Monday night what Century’s next required step will be to right their failure, but it seemed that another public hearing will be advertised to redo the resolutions before final public hearing is held. The process needs to be completed before the new budget year begins October 1.
The intended council action last night was the first of two required approvals for a property tax increase with a millage rate of .9204, which is 7.1% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8553 mills. The rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year.
A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by Florida law as a tax increase and the town must advertise such, although the council was advised differently by their accountant.
“Y’all are not going up on the taxes,” Hudson advised the council “Even though a person’s real estate tax is going to increase, it’s increasing because the value of their property is going up.”
The town is proposing a $5.7 million budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, up from $4.14 million during the current fiscal year. The increase is mostly due to income from grants.
Mayor Ben Boutwell did not attend Monday’s meeting, and council member Leonard White was absent. White had advised the town clerk that he was unable to get time off from his job as a corrections officer. Council member James Smith, Jr., first spoke during the meeting using Zoom audio about nine minutes after the public hearing started.
Pictured: Century’s accountant Robert Hudson (foreground, right), and council members (L-R) President Luis Gomez, Jr., Sandra McMurray-Jackson and Dynette Lewis. Pictured below: Other than NorthEscambia.com, not member of the public attended the public hearing. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Finalizes Contract For New Ambulance Provider. And Why That Matters In Florida.
September 14, 2021
The Atmore City Council voted unanimously Monday afternoon to finalize a contract for a new ambulance provider. It’s an arrangement that’s been running without a formal contract since September 1, and an arrangement that could have impacts for Escambia County in Florida.
The Escambia County (AL) Health Care Authority (ECHCA) reached an agreement with MedStar to provide comprehensive 24/7 ground ambulance coverage for the greater Atmore market, replacing ASAP EMS. Officials have cited a poor response by ASAP as the reason for the change.
The MedStar ambulances are operating out of the former Atmore Fire Station 4 on Pensacola Avenue. The fire trucks and personnel have been moved back to the main Atmore fire station at city hall. Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles said he’s confident the move will not have any impact of the quality of service provided by his department, even though that puts all of his fire trucks on one side of a town bisected by railroad tracks The Pensacola Avenue fire station, south of the railroad tracks, was closed about three years after Hurricane Ivan with no significant problems.
One of the MedStar ambulances in Atmore was moved from its previous post at the Flomaton Fire Station. D.W. McMillan EMS has assumed responsibility for providing ground ambulance service in the greater Flomaton area.
ECHCA has also contracted with MedStar to provide medical helicopter service to all of Escambia County, Alabama. MedStar’s Air Care 2 helicopter is currently based at Atmore Community Hospital.
Ambulances from Escambia County, Alabama, also respond to Florida under mutual aid agreements.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responds periodically to Atmore to assist with emergencies, and, a little more often, the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responds to the Flomaton area.
As NorthEscambia.com reported in July, MedStar’s Atmore helicopter will also respond to North Escambia in Florida under a new “first call agreement” between the operator of ShandsCair and Escambia County, Florida.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Make Plans Now For Your Child On Sept. 22, It’s An Early School Release Day
September 14, 2021
Parents of Escambia County School District students take note….Wednesday, September 22 is an early release day and dismissal times have changed.
Early release days offer teachers and staff the opportunity for professional development, according to the district.
On all early release dates, schools will serve lunch and regular transportation will be provided.
In addition to September 22, there will also be early release days on November 3 and January 26. Early release times for each school are below.
High Rain Chances Continue Due To Tropical Moisture
September 14, 2021
CLICK HERE FOR UPDATED FORECAST INFORMATION
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 80. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.