Middle School Volleyball: Ernest Ward Beats Ferry Pass (With Photo Gallery)
February 11, 2022
The Ernest Ward Middle School Golden Eagles defeated the Eagles of Ferry Pass Middle School Thursday night in Walnut Hill.
The EWMS junior varsity defeated FPMS 25-13, 21-25, 15-5. Ernest Ward JV is 8-2 on the season, tops in the district.
In varsity play, Ernest Ward (7-3) defeated Ferry Pass 25-16, 21-25, 16-14.
Ernest Ward will host Brown Barge on February 14 and Beulah Middle School on February 17. Junior varsity action begins at 5:30, followed by varsity.
For a photo gallery from varsity and JV action, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mary A. Henderson-Phillips
February 11, 2022
Mary A. Henderson-Phillips, resident of Molino, Florida passed away on February 8, 2022. She was born December 17, 1943 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Asa P. Schell and Agnes Troutman Schell.
Mary was a banking professional for 41 years. She was a graduate of the University of Florida School of Banking. She retired as an investment banker from First Union. Throughout the years, Mary gained many long-term friendships with many of her employees, co-workers and customers. From these friendships, her group of Ladybug besties was formed. They have lived, laughed and loved together for close to 45 years. Mary was a faithful member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino, Florida. She was a member of the Krewe of Aphrodite and was elected their Queen in 2003. She also was a member of the Red Hat Society and a past member of the
Maids of Luna. She loved being a part of these organizations and often spoke fondly of her memories. Mary, along with Westley, took on the role of caregivers for her daughter Karen and tirelessly took care of her until she passed in 2020. They served as parents/grandparents to Karen’s grandchildren Robert and Lily Worden and Westley’s grandson Josh Warren.
Mary (Nana) loved her family with all her heart. She alwayswanted to know every detail of their lives. She encouraged them and loved them unconditionally. Facetiming or visiting with her grandchildren and great grandchildren was her favorite past time. Nana was always looking at their photos on Facebook and proudly sharing with others.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Asa P. Schell and Agnes Regan; brother, Bobby Schell; and daughter, Karen Henderson Ellis.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, Robert Westley Phillips; son, Bill Henderson (Cindy); grandsons, Garrett Henderson (Pam), Zack Henderson (Kendall); and great grandchildren, Wheeler, Campbell and Davies Henderson, Robert and Lillian Worden; stepsons, Jerry Phillips (Amber), Mike Phillips, Josh Warren; stepdaughter, Lori Phillips; step grandchildren, Westley, Pierce, Brighton, and Payton Phillips. She is also survived by many cousins and nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Jimmy Cook officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. prior to the service.
Glenn Doyle McGhee, Sr.
February 11, 2022
Mr. Glenn Doyle McGhee Sr, age 78, passed away, Monday, February 7, 2022 in Pensacola, FL. He has resided most of his life in Pensacola, FL. He was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and retired there with 20 years of employment with IT department. He served in the United States Army, with many years of serving his country.
Mr. McGhee enjoyed listening to country music, and Florida State University Football. He liked to make people happy and laugh a lot. He enjoyed working logic puzzles, both teaching and solving himself.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl (Atrebee Dees) McGhee, and one brother, Stephen McGhee.
He is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Billie Jo McGhee, of Pensacola, FL; three sons, Glenn Doyle Jr; of Pensacola, FL; Kenneth Carl McGhee, of Orlando, FL; Ronald Gilbert McGhee, of Pensacola, FL; three daughters, Pamela Lynn McGhee, of Tallahassee, FL; Elizabeth Joan McGhee, of Tallahassee, FL; Deborah Diane Breiner, five brothers, Gilbert (Mary) McGhee, of Walnut Hill, FL; carl Jr McGhee, of Atmore, AL; Robert McGhee, of Saraland, AL; Larry McGhee, of Atmore, AL; Harold (Lynna) McGhee of Atmore, AL; one sister, Sandra (Lareue) Chunn, of Theordore, AL; three grandchildren, Benedict Breiner, Bella Breiner, Bianca Breiner, other relatives, and friends.
Burial will be held Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Barrancas National Cemetery with Rev. Rowdy Boyette officiating.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 14, 2022 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Cantonment Woman Charged In Walnut Hill ‘Honor System’ Farmer Burglary
February 10, 2022
A Cantonment woman has been charged with the November 2021 burglary of a Walnut Hill “honor system” farmer on November 29, 2021.
Kayla Shea Caperton, 28, was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and petit theft. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $21,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Caperton and an unidentified suspect vandalized a vending machine valued at $7,000 and stole items worth $124, including ice from an ice machine, corn that was being sold on the honor system, and a 100 quart cooler.
The entire incident was caught on video, showing the suspects arriving in a SUV later identified as Caperton’s 2004 Nissan Xterra.
After the story and video were published on NorthEscambia.com, investigators received numerous calls from persons identifying the vehicle as belonging to Caperton.
Deputies obtained her phone number, and she agreed to meet in a parking lot at Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road. According to an arrest report, she immediately acknowledged that she received phone calls that her vehicle was in the news story. Caperton told the investigator that she had parked her car at the Dollar General on South County Road 97 in Cantonment and then rode around with a friend during the time of the burglary. She stated that someone must have stolen her vehicle from the Dollar General and returned it to the same spot.
Caperton stated she was the only person with a key to the vehicle, and it was determined that the vehicle was never parked at the Dollar General overnight, the arrest report states.
During the late November 2021 incident, two people wearing ski masks spent about 11 minutes attempting to break into a drink vending machine outside Eicher Farms on South Highway 99 in Walnut Hill. Surveillance video from the incident is below.
They arrived about 2:35 a.m. Monday in a SUV. The vehicle’s headlights were off as they pulled behind the barn and went to work on the vending machine with a crowbar. At one point, the only cash in the machine fell to the ground, unnoticed by the duo as they continued their efforts. Eicher said there was only $2 or $3 in the machine, but thousands of dollars in damage was done.
After a lengthy battle with the vending machine, the suspects then took several bags of ice, the cooler and several bags of corn from the business that sells deer corn, peanuts and other products on the honor system.
“It’s extremely tough in today’s economy when people are stealing from you,” Eicher told NorthEscambia.com following the theft. “It makes it especially tough. I don’t know why they want to come out and target this place for a few dollars and they don’t even see when the money hits the ground.”
Three other individuals were charged with theft for stealing bags of deer corn, peanuts and ear corn from the same farm just days before.
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com screen grabs and photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office Investigating Two ‘Suspicious Activity’ Incidents Involving Minors
February 10, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has received two different reports about suspicious activity involving minor children
The first was in the area of Flagler Drive and Richard Road. A juvenile reported a suspicious vehicle that followed them home.
The second was in the 10800-block of Lillian Highway. A young child reported an unknown male approached them while playing in their front yard.
ECSO said they are working to verify the circumstances of both cases and their investigation is continuing.
Get Free Reblended Paint From Escambia County On Thursdays
February 10, 2022
Escambia County offers free reblended paint in five gallon buckets.
The paint is available every Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Perdido Landfill. It is offered to the public for free in exchange for a new five gallon bucket with a lid (available at local hardware stores). Available colors may include beige, black, blue, brown, green, gray, orange, pink, purple, red, yellow and white.
Citizens can also dispose of up to 20 gallons of latex and oil-based paint at a time at the landfill at no charge. Latex paint is screened twice, reblended and put into new five-gallon buckets.
Call (850) 937-2160 for additional information and color availability.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Educators Invited To Apply For Free Florida Forestry Teachers Tour
February 10, 2022
The Florida Forest Service is inviting educators statewide to apply for an exciting opportunity this summer, the Florida Forestry Teachers Tour. The annual tour brings educators from throughout the state to Northeast Florida for an inside look at the state’s largest agricultural commodity. The tour is scheduled for June 21 – 24, 2022. Applications will be accepted through March 11.
Florida’s forests are critical to the state’s infrastructure and workforce, producing $25.1 billion in revenue each year and representing more than 124,000 jobs. The Florida Forestry Teachers Tour is designed to provide educators with an opportunity to learn how the industry meets the needs of the state’s communities and environment, from clean air and water to home goods and other wood products.
“The Florida Forestry Teachers Tour is one of the best tools we have to make the next generation aware of the importance of Florida’s forests and the career opportunities they provide,” said Erin Albury, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service.
Florida educators of all subjects and grade levels are encouraged to apply. All lodging, meals and tour transportation are provided at no cost to teachers through the support of private partners and sponsors, including the Florida Forestry Association, Project Learning Tree of Florida and Friends of Florida State Forests. The four-day event earns Florida teachers 30 Continuing Education Units.
To learn more and to apply for the Florida Forestry Teachers Tour, visit FloridaStateForests.org/TeachersTour.
James Hayward Formby
February 10, 2022
James Hayward Formby, of Walnut Hill, Florida age 73 passed away on Saturday,February 5, 2022. He was born in Spring Garden, Alabama on June 8, 1948 to Guy Hayward and Betty Jean Smith Formby, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Spring Garden High School in 1966, attended Georgia Tech, Gadsden State and graduated from Gadsden Business College.
Mr. Formby was a member of Lozahatchee F & M #97, the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, Walnut Hill Fire Department and Annie Jones United Methodist Church.
Over the years, he was employed by First National Bank of Piedmont, Coca-Cola, Royster Fertilizer Co., Swift Fertilizer Co., Twin County Farm Service, West Florida Gin Co., Terra Industries, Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Escambia Grain Corp. and he owned and operated Center Farm Service, James H. Formby Trucking Co. and Mr. Transmission.
He is survived by his wife Cynthia Cooke Formby of Walnut Hill, FL. His daughters, Christine Formby Logan of Margaret, AL and Heather Formby Gill of Spring Garden, AL. His grandsons, Case and Canon Gill. Stepdaughter, Blair
Phillips Jean (William) and step grandchildren Landon Jean, Lane Jean, Paige Phillips and Cooper Phillips. A sister, Matha Formby Holmes (Rodney) of Piedmont, AL, nephew Jarrod Holmes (Lauren), niece Whitney Holmes Kennedy
(Kyle). He is preceded in death by his parents, son-in-laws Joey Gill and Bruce Logan, and stepson Brandon Phillips.
Funeral service will be held Friday, February 11, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Charles Melvin officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 11, 2022 from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Walnut Hill Fire Department or the Spring Garden School Foundation.
CSX Crossing Closures: Quintette Road, Several In Cottage Hill Set To Close Thursday And Friday
February 10, 2022
[Updated 2/10/22] Here’s the latest update on the CSX rail crossing closures in North Escambia.
Quintette Road, Stacey Road, Williams Ditch Road and Cottage Hill Road are all set to be closed on Thursday and Friday.
There are also a small number of private roads that cross the tracks in the area. These residents will be notified when their road will be closed by a person knocking on their door or leaving a door hanger.
CSX is replacing tracks through the area and replacing the roadway at each crossing. A previously announced schedule was delayed due to weather.
Pictured: Previous work last week at the crossing on North Barth Road. NorthEscambia.com photo click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Shaun Wheeler Commits To Huntingdon College
February 10, 2022
Tate High School’s Shaun Wheeler has committed to play football at Huntingdon College. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
