Flomaton TV Star Moonshiner Arrested By State Authorities On Alcohol Charges
September 13, 2022
A TV star moonshiner from Flomaton was arrested Monday night by state authorities on alcohol charges.
Johnny Wayne Griffis, 48, was charged with felony distillation or manufacture of prohibited liquors and beverages, and a class C misdemeanor of sale, offer for sale, possession or barter of prohibited liquors and beverages.
He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center where he remained early Tuesday morning without bond.
Johnny Griffis competed on Moonshiners: Master Distiller on the Discovery Channel in 2020. In the end, his “old school corn liquor moonshine” took second place.
His new television series “Alabama Shine” premiered in August on The Country Network (TCN). It showcased Griffis in Flomaton and a moonshiner in Carbon Hill, Alabama. In the television series, Griffis discusses evading law enforcement during the moonshine distillation process.
State officials did not release further information about Griffis’ arrest Monday night. If convicted as charged, Griffis would face one to five years in prison, according to Alabama Code.
Cooler Tonight, Low In The Upper 50s
September 13, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 63. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 67. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 88.
Molino Family Wakes To Find Man In Their Home
September 13, 2022
A Molino family woke up to find a man inside their home early on a recent early morning, and the suspect is now charged with burglary and assault.
Robert Lee Jones, Jr., 37, was charged with felony burglary of a residence while committing an assault, and aggravated assault with the intent to commit a felony.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that he woke to hear his dog barking, exited his bedroom and saw Jones standing in his living room. He yelled at Jones to leave, but Jones threw a dining room chair at the victim and missed, an arrest report states.
When Jones saw the dog, he ran out the backdoor of the Brickyard Road home, the report continues.
Deputies said the incident was witnessed by two other occupants of the home.
Jones told deputies that he went to the home during the early morning hours to tell the victim that his daughter went to jail earlier that day. He stated that he opened an unlocked backdoor and called out to the victim, but he denied entering the home.
According to the father, the daughter has actually been in jail for several months.
When arrested, deputies said Jones had a screwdriver in his pocket.
Jones remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $55,000.
Salzman Teams With Faith Based Organizations To Create ‘Foster With Faith”
September 13, 2022
Rep. Michelle Salzman has teamed up with local faith based organizations to create “Foster with Faith”, a steering committee focused on bringing together faith-based leaders to help provide clothing drives, cooking meals, yard work, rides to appointments and many other supportive roles to help relieve some of the stress on foster families.
Currently, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) works through faith-based organizations with Share Your Heart by giving referrals so the faith-based community can come together to better serve this underserved population. Salzman said by bringing various faith-based leaders to the table, the group will be able to create a plan to focus community effort to bring resources and monies together into one place that can be put to use in the most efficient and impactful way.
“Many in our community are underserved,” stated Pastor Bill Wright with Share Your Heart Ministries. “I believe that we have the appropriate partnering agencies to fill the great gap of social services.”
Faith-based leaders in the community are asked to contact Debbie Malsberger in Salzman’s office at (850) 941-6091for more information on how to become involved.
National Guard To Be Deployed To State Prisons, Including Santa Rosa But Not Century
September 13, 2022
The Florida National Guard is being deployed to several prisons across the state to provide relief and supplement staff vacancies.
In the local area, the Guard will be deployed to the Santa Rosa Correctional Institute, but not Century Correctional Institute, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Florida National Guard members will supplement security posts at select institutions, under the direction of the warden and facility command staff. Guardsman will undergo training from FDC’s staff development office to equip them with the knowledge necessary to work alongside Florida’s corrections professionals.
“We received historic pay increases for our correctional officers and have hired more correctional officers monthly than we have seen in years,” said Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon. “With the temporary support of the Florida National Guard we will be able to recover and train the next generation of public safety professionals to perform our important mission.”
“I am personally seeing our agency turnaround. For the first time in years our institution is hiring more staff each month than we are losing, and this would not have been possible without the pay raises we received from the Governor and Legislature last session. I appreciate this added step being taken so we can train our new staff and safely operate our facilities,” said Warden Aaron Leavins, Santa Rosa CI.
Willie C. Dortch
September 13, 2022
Willie C. Dortch transitioned early September 10, 2002 Saturday morning surrounded by his family. Willie migrated to Century Fl at an early age where he lived until his passing.
Mr. Dortch was a pillar in the community of Century. He served as the groundskeeper of Century Cemetery for many many years. Willie devoted his life to being a skilled heavy equipment operator, protecting and providing for his large family, and serving the community in any way he could.
The funeral arrangements for Mr. Dortch are:
Family Hours: Friday September 16, 2022 between the hours of 6-7pm at Jackson-McMurray funeral home located at 130 W Hecker Rd Century Fl 32535
Funeral:
Saturday September 17, 2022 at 2:00pm at Pilgrim Lodge Missionary Baptist Church located at 7000 Jefferson Ave Century Fl, 32535.
Curtis William Finney
September 13, 2022
Curtis William Finney, 48, of Cantonment, FL, entered eternal rest with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, September 11, 2022, after a short illness.
Curtis was born on July 9, 1974, to Preston Finney and Billie Jean Finney in Mobile, AL, and grew up in Daphne, AL. After graduating from Daphne High School, Curtis went on to obtain a Degree in Business from the University of West Alabama, in Livingston, AL. Curtis spent most of his career in sales and banking, including the past 13 years at Navy Federal Credit Union in Pensacola.
Curtis was a passionate and devoted man. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and gave his life to Jesus as a young man. This one decision transformed his life. He loved his family with all his heart and wanted to spend as much time as he could in the company of his family. Curtis loved his church. He served in various churches as a layperson, teaching numerous Sunday School and Discipleship classes and was currently a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Pensacola. Curtis had a hunger for the Bible and was a voracious reader. Curtis loved the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was a fan in the championship seasons and in the lean years. He loved talking Tide Football with anyone who would give him an audience, including his “famous” call to the Paul Finebaum show. Curtis enjoyed playing golf. He played as often as he had the opportunity, playing alongside friends and strangers.
Curtis made a difference in the lives of thousands of people. He underestimated the impact he made, but everybody knew Curtis. He brightened the room with his wit and humor, gladly serving others with every opportunity he had.
Along with his parents, Curtis is survived by his wife Linda Cain, son Taylor Finney, and daughter Rylee Cain. He is also survived by a host of relatives, and friends all over the country.
Visitation will be Friday, September 16, 2022 from 5:00-7:00pm and the Funeral Service will be at Noon on Saturday, September 17, 2022 with Bro. Tim Pernie officiating. Visitation and Funeral will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy 29 South, Cantonment, FL 32533. Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens, 7433 Pine Forest Rd, Pensacola, FL 32526.
The pallbearers will be Michael Hixon, Stewart Coffee, Michael Hollingsworth, Chris Dabney, Sean Ballard, Scott Duncan, Robert Woodfin, and Taylor Finney.
In lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Chaddah Dance Company- on behalf of Rylee Cain Mission to share the gospel and bring awareness to Human Trafficking across the U.S., In His Steps, 6231 North W. St. Pensacola, FL 32505.
Cleveland Thomas “Tom” Hyatt
September 13, 2022
Mr. Cleveland Thomas “Tom” Hyatt, age 73, passed away, Thursday, September 8, 2022 in Atmore, AL. He was a lifelong resident of Bay Minette, AL. He drove a “Big Truck” and enjoyed mechanicing for many years.
Mr. Hyatt enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed riding his buggy and golf cart.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Cleve (Minerva Richerson) Hyatt, Jr.
He is survived by his, three sons, Michael (Cassie) Hyatt, of Pensacola, FL; Chris (Hope) Hyatt, of Atmore, AL; Ryan (Meagen) Hyatt, of Canoe, AL; three brothers, Randy (Deborah) Hyatt, of Rabun, AL; Michael (Pamela) Hyatt, of Stockton, AL; Samuel (Tammy) Hyatt, of Excel, AL; two sisters, Carol Bundy, of Daphne, AL; Linda (Bill) Lees, of Daphne, AL; fifteen grandchildren, Christopher, Jonathan, Shelby, Kirstin, Tyler, Anna, Layla, Cameron, Braidin, Callie, Hayden, Bella, Chloe Elijah, Jace, thirteen great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 2:00 PM at New Life Baptist Church with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial will follow at New Life Baptist Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at New Life Baptist Church.
Wahoos Seek Local Youth Field To Renovate
September 13, 2022
For the 11th consecutive year, the Blue Wahoos and Waste Management have partnered to renovate an area youth athletic field and are accepting nominations from the community to select the field to be restored.
“We are very excited to continue our partnership with Waste Management and help renovate a local ballfield,” Blue Wahoos community relations manager Lauren Scott said. “Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our community, and helping provide children a great place to play sports locally will benefit families across our community.
The Blue Wahoos will be accepting nominations to choose a field to receive a makeover until September 20. Any local citizen or organization can submit a field by emailing Scott at LScott@BlueWahoos.com and including photos or video of the field and a short explanation of why the field should be considered. Fields must be within 40 miles of Blue Wahoos Stadium to be selected.
Pictured: The Wahoos renovated fields in 2017 at Cantonment (top), in 2018 at Century (first below) and in 2019 at NWE in Walnut Hill (bottom). NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Boil Water Notice Rescinded For Cottage Hill Water Works Customers On Williams Ditch Road
September 12, 2022
UPDATE: This boil water notice was rescinded on September 13 follow the satisfactory completion of a bacteriological survey showing that the water is safe to drink.
Due to a water main break, Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for Williams Ditch Road.
Cottage Hill Water Works advises residents of the area that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient, or as an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
If you have any questions call (850) 968-5485.
This story will be updated when the notice is rescinded.