Mildred Marie Hadley Hall
February 4, 2022
Mildred Marie Hadley Hall passed away peacefully at home February 1, 2022, at the age of 91. Mildred was born on September 18, 1930, to John William “Bill” Hadley Jr. and Venie Hadley of Perdido, Alabama. Mildred was highly involved in service to her community. She dedicated endless hours to the service of others and various local organizations around Walnut Hill and Atmore. She wrote the Walnut Hill News for years for the Atmore Advance. She served as a Pink Lady for the Atmore Community Hospital. She loved and cherished her friends and her eyes gleamed when visiting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Alfred Bruce Hall Sr. of Oak Grove, FL; her twin brothers: Arion (Little Boy) Hadley and Marion (Big Boy) Hadley of Atmore, AL; her sister, Mary Marie Byrd of Atmore, AL; and her grandson, Brandon Christopher Hall of Pensacola, FL.
She is survived by her son, Marion Mark (Debbie) Hall of Oak Grove, FL; nine grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 12 Noon at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL with Bro. Ronald Hall officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Mason Hall, Joseph Hall Brown, Ricky Crook, Eric Givens, Beau Buchanan and Chris Marshall.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Shield Prevents PPD Officer From Being Shot In The Face; Man Charged With Attempted Murder Of Police Officer
February 3, 2022
THERE WAS NO PRESECUTION IN THIS CASE. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS.
A man has been charged with shooting at a police officer whose life was likely saved by his ballistic shield Thursday morning.
Corey Joseph Marioneaux, Jr. was charged with the attempted murder of a police officer.
The Pensacola Police Department SWAT team was serving a high risk search warrant on North 7th Avenue about 5 a.m.
Marioneaux reportedly fired at officers. One round struck the viewing area officer’s ballistic shield, preventing the officer from being shot in the face, according to police.
The officer returned fire, but missed the suspect. It was the first time in the history of the SWAT team that a live round has been fired at a suspect.
Marioneaux was released on a $50,000 bond.
Photos: Pensacola Police Department.
Former Flomaton Cop Arrested On Florida Drug Charges Now Accused Of Child Endangerment In Alabama
February 3, 2022
A former Flomaton Police Department lieutenant arrested for drug trafficking in 2020 in Molino is back behind bars in an Alabama jail facing new charges.
Isaac R. Lopez, 37, was taken into custody Wednesday by the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office on Flomaton Police Department warrants.
Lopez is charged with reckless endangerment of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to Flomaton Police. Both charges are misdemeanors.
“Our office received a call of a minor under influence of alcohol. Our officers investigated and found probable cause for the warrants. DHR (Department of Human Resources) Escambia also was called and investigated,” Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday night.
The incident reportedly occurred on Christmas 2021 and involved a 13-year old child.
Due to the new charges, Lopez’s bond in Alabama was revoked, and he remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office received information that Lopez was trafficking methamphetamines and set up an operation to catch him in the act in December 2020, according to the agency. Lopez arranged a narcotics deal for two ounces of methamphetamine from an Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office investigator by phone and text messages, according to an arrest report. The report states he arrived at a predetermined location in Molino and accepted the two ounces of methamphetamine from the undercover officer.
Lopez was not on duty and not in his agency issued vehicle at the time of his drug arrest in the 5800 block of North Highway 29.
He was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. He was booked into the Escambia County (FL) Jail and later released on bond.
The cellphone used by Lopez to arrange the meth deal belonged to the Town of Flomaton, according to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Health Jackson. As a result, Lopez was charged in Alabama for felony use of official position or office for personal gain. He was released on a $200,000 bond; it was that bond that was revoked with his latest arrest Wednesday.
Lopez was terminated by the Flomaton Police Department.
The original drug arrest was the result of a partnership between the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Chance Of Severe Storms And Flooding Tonight
February 3, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy fog. Low around 45. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 45 by 8am. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 9pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 51. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
Late Ransom Middle Band Director Janie Walker Posthumously Honored With Florida Bandmasters Award
February 3, 2022
Late Ransom Middle School band director Janie Walker has been posthumously awarded the Oliver Hobbs Award by the Florida Bandmasters Association.
Walker passed away in May 2021 at the age of 47 after complications from surgery.
The Oliver Hobbs Award recognizes FBA members who have consistently done an exceptional job year after year in the position of band director. The FBA recognizes up to four band directors statewide for the award each year. Walker joins retired Tate High School band director Joe Hooten and retired Bailey Middle School band director Tim Willis as residents of Escambia County who have won the award.
Accepting the award on Walker’s behalf were Cathy McConnell, Ransom Middle orchestra director, and Angela Horne, Ransom chorus director.
Walker started her teaching career in the fall of 1997 when she became the band director at UMS Wright Preparatory School in Mobile. While living in Mobile, she played in the Mobile Pops Orchestra.
In the fall of 1999, Walker moved back to Pensacola and became the band director at Ransom Middle School. During her time at Ransom, her symphonic and jazz bands received consistent superior ratings at District Music Performance Assessments, and she had 18 students selected for participation in Florida all state bands. She also served as guest conductor for Middle School Honor Bands in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. She was selected as the Ransom Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year.
She was born March 26, 1974, in Pensacola and attended Cordova Park Elementary, Workman Middle School, and Washington High School. Walker and her family were active members of First Baptist Church in Pensacola where she was baptized and married and she served as a Children’s Camp Counselor. She also played the trumpet in the church orchestra.
Following graduation from high school in 1992 with honors, she attended the University of Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Music Education in 1997. While at Alabama she was a member of the Million Dollar Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Quota Brass Quintet and Mu Phi Epsilon. Walker and her future husband, Chris Walker, met at Alabama and they were both members of the Million Dollar Band.
Several of Walker’s former students are in teaching positions at middle school and high school band programs in the Florida Panhandle, and several former students are professional musicians.
Lee Rigdon, who taught with Walker as assistant band director, is now serving as the Ransom band director. Steven Kershaw is the assistant band director.
Northview Lifter Holley Gilley Advances To State 1A Meet
February 3, 2022
Northview High School’s Holley Gilley will compete in the Florida High School Athletic Association 1A state weightlifting meet next week at Port St. Joe High School.
Gilley placed at regionals in snatch, clean and jerk, and bench.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Engineer Joy Jones Retires After 18 Years of Service
February 3, 2022
Escambia County Engineer Joy Jones, PE, has after 18 years with the county. Jones’ last day was Wednesday..
She retired as engineering director and county engineer. During her time with Escambia County, Jones served as director of Public Works; division manager of Engineering and Construction Management; division vanager of Park Operations and Capital Improvements; division manager of Planning and Engineering; and as stormwater engineer of the Planning and Engineering Department.
As director and engineering lead, Jones supported and led the department to implement innovative ideas that benefited the county, citizens and visitors. Jones oversaw more than 60 infrastructure projects annually for design or construction ranging from $20-$40 million per year. Some of her notable projects include the Southwest Sports Complex at Bauer Road, and the Bratt and Beulah parks. She was also instrumental in initiating technical notices to better communicate new specifications, address common issues and provide resolutions.
“I want to thank everyone I have had the great fortune to work with over the last 18 years,” said Jones. “It has been a blessing to serve the citizens of Escambia County and to have the opportunity to work on a tremendous number of fulfilling projects. I know the future of the engineering department is bright.”
“I wish Joy nothing but the best in her retirement,” said Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno. “Working with Joy has been an immense pleasure. She leaves behind an incredible legacy for the county engineering department through her hard work and passion for the job.”
Prior to her time with the county, Jones served for nine years in the private sector as a senior project manager with Mott MacDonald and project engineer with Florida Groundwater Services. She was also the civil engineer of record for many commercial site plans, roadways and subdivision developments.
Tate High’s Jaxson Stafford Competes In Blue-Grey All-American Bowl
February 3, 2022
Tate High School’s Jaxson Stafford competed in the 2022 Blue-Grey All-American Bowl at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Seeks To Hire Project Coordinator, Town Planner
February 3, 2022
The Town of Century is looking to hire two consultants to fill the gap left by the retirement of longtime town planner Debbie Nickles.
The town began advertising Thursday for an individual or firm to serve as town planner in a consulting role. The position will have direct interaction with representatives of the development community in the coordination of land use activities and serve as the director of the Century Community Redevelopment Agency. The position, which requires a master’s degree and five years of experience, will report directly to the mayor and town council.
The town is also seeking an individual or firm to act as “coordinator of ongoing projects“, including the American Rescue Plan, State Revolving Loan Fund, road projects and SHIP housing. “These matters will eventually close and new matters will be assigned as needed,” the position announcement notes. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and five years of experience in grant writing and grant implementation.
Applications for both contract positions are open until noon on February 18.
Pictured: Now retired Century town planner Debbie Nickles addresses the Century Town Council. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Roy Dwayne White
February 3, 2022
, 58, of Cantonment, FL passed away Monday, January 31, 2022. He was born in Mobile, AL on October 5, 1963 to his parents, Wilburn “Roy” and Patricia Ann Healy White.
Roy graduated high school from J.M. Tate High School in 1983. He worked as a Service Advisor in the automobile business for many years. His most recent job was working at Beard Equipment
Roy was a member of the Pensacola Masonic Lodge 42. As well as a member of Heritage Baptist Church in Cantonment, FL.
He is preceded in death by both his parents.
Roy is survived by his wife, Jean White; children, Dwayne White, Joe White, Rebekah (Matt) Twillman, Brittany White, and Brianna White; brothers, Danny White, Webb (Heather) White, and Greg (Connie) White; eight grandchildren, Mariah, Taylee, Josie, J.J., Jaden, Bella, Madelyn, and Remi; as well as many other family members and wonderful friends.
A Going Home service will be held on Saturday, February 5 , 2022, at Heritage Baptist Church in Cantonment, FL. The family invites friends to join them at 11:00 a.m. for the visitation. The service will follow at 12:00 p.m. We will lay him to rest after the service at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.