Wesley “Dawson” Stanaland, Jr.
October 10, 2022
Wesley “Dawson” Stanaland, Jr., 63, passed away on October 9, 2022.
Dawson was born on October 14, 1958, to Wesley Dawson Stanaland, Sr. and Bonita Rose Bell Stanaland in Perry, FL.
Dawson met the love of his life Bernadine Goff on November 13, 1977, and it was love at first sight. They were married June 24, 1978, going on to have two daughters: Christina, and Liza. In 1989 while in Active-Duty Army National Guard he moved his family to Pace, FL where he lived until the time of his death.
Staff Sergeant Wesley Dawson Stanaland, Jr was a proud ten-year veteran of the Army National Guard serving his time on active-duty status. He loved his county and his rights.
Before his Military service Dawson worked for CSX Railroad for ten years. Dawson was a jack of all trades, from Phlebotomist, Ultrasound Tech, Owner of Pace Marine where he was a boat mechanic for many years, and most recently, the owner of Home Defense Firearms. He was incredibly patriotic and loved his family more than anything else. He also loved his blue grass music and playing his banjo on occasion.
Dawson was of the Primitive Baptist Faith. He was very active his churches as he was the pastor of Little Flock in Molino, FL., Spring Hill in Flomaton, AL., and was serving his 22nd year at Pilgrim’s Rest in Jackson, AL.
Dawson was preceded in death by his brother Jesse Stanaland and his father Wesley Stanaland, Sr., and his father-in-law Dallas Goff.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Bernadine, his daughters Christina Stanaland Tereszkiewicz (Josh) and Liza Stanaland (Bobby), his grandchildren Cooper Bodie, Meeya “Termite” Gonzalez, Dominic Gonzalez, Lucas Gonzales, Savannah Sanchez, Jeremy Sanchez, Robert Sanchez, and Justin Sanchez, his brothers JC Stanaland (Sarah) and Benjamin David Stanaland, his sister Teresa Godwin (Charles), his mother Bonnie, His Brother-in-Law’s Don Goff and David Goff (Lynn) He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, a big family and a world of friends and his best friend “Brody.”
Family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North at 1000 Hwy 29, Cantonment, Florida,on Tuesday evening October 12, 2022, from 5-7 p.m.. Funeral Services on Wednesday morning October 13, 2022,, at 10:30 a.m.. Burial will follow at Bagdad Cemetery. Milton Florida.
Thomas Benton Qualls
October 10, 2022
Mr. Thomas Benton Qualls, age 93, passed away, Saturday, October 8, 2022, peacefully at his home surrounded by family. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore, Al. and a member of Unity Baptist Church. He proudly served in the United States Army for many years. He retired from Monsanto with 25 years of service. After retiring he went to work with SAV/Pepsi for many years, and worked the fields for Boll Weevils.
Mr. Qualls enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a very loving and dedicated husband to his wife, Gladys for 44 years. He enjoyed going hunting and fishing. He always loved tending and caring for “all the babies” rather at church are anywhere, “he just had that love for Babies.” He was a very devoted Christian and a man of God.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Sidney (Vergie Vera Whidbee) Qualls, wife of 44 years, Gladys Powell Qualls, one son, Thomas Evans Qualls, one brother, James McCoy Qualls, and one sister, Bobbie Lee Holland.
He is survived by his one son, John “JJ” Hansen, of Mobile, AL; three daughters, Brenda “June” (Tom) McClendon, of McDavid, FL; Deborah “Debbie” (Sean) Dimond, of Red Level, AL; Lisa (Kenny) Rolin, of Atmore, AL; thirteen grandchildren, twenty- two great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, two great-great-great- grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 16, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Unity Baptist Church with Rev. Josh Long, and Rev. Rickey Tedder officiating.
Burial will follow at Serenity Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Sunday, October 16, 2022 from 1 p.m. until service time at 3 p.m. at Unity Baptist Church.
Century Approves 151% Property Tax Increase At Rare Saturday Afternoon Meeting
October 9, 2022
The Century Town Council approved a 151% property tax increase during a rare Saturday afternoon meeting, but failed to approve a budget due to an advertising error.
No member of the general public attended a public hearing held at 4:30 Saturday afternoon as the council unanimously approved a property tax rate that is 151.68% increase over what’s known as the rolled back rate. The rolled back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the State of Florida as a tax increase and was advertised as such.
The council approved a static millage rate of 0.9204 mills, which is a 151.68% increase over the rolled back rate of 0.3657.
The tax increase was so great that state law required a unanimous vote of the body for approval, or a special referendum at the ballot box.
The council was also set to give final approval to a $5.8 million budget for the fiscal year that started on October 1. Action on the budget was tabled after it was discovered that a balanced budget was not advertised due to an apparent typographical error made by the town. The typo in the budget summary public notice for the meeting showed $10,000 more in expenditures than revenue; state law requires that a budget balance.
Pictured top: No member of the general public attended a final budget public hearing held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Century. Pictured below: The Century Town Council discusses a 151.68% property tax increase at the hearing Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Students Of The Month Treated To Pizza Party
October 9, 2022
Bratt Elementary School’s Students of the Month enjoyed pizza with the principal during recent party. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Chiefs Take On The Cantonment Cowboys (With Photo Gallery)
October 9, 2022
The Northwest Escambia Chiefs celebrated homecoming Saturday and welcomed the Cantonment Cowboys to Greg Gibson Field in Walnut Hill.
Scores were as follows:
6U – NWE 6 Cantonment 12
8U – NWE 0 Cantonment 6 OT
10U – NWE 30 Cantonment 0 (Clock turned off in second quarter)
12U – NWE 26 Cantonment 18
For a photo gallery from the 12U and (a few) from the 10U, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny Sunday, About 80; Chance Of Rain Later This Week
October 9, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 53. North wind around 5 mph.
Columbus Day: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 54. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Flags Were At Half Staff Sunday For National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day
October 9, 2022
Flags across Florida were at half staff Sunday for National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day.
Each year in October, the fallen firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice saving and protecting their communities are honored.
Last year, fallen Escambia County Assistant District Chief Dwain Bradshaw was honored at the Florida Fallen Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala.
Bradshaw was recognized as a line of duty death on November 6, 2019, from a motor vehicle accident.
Bradshaw, 41, lost his life during the early morning hours of November 2019 in the line of duty on scene of a fatal crash on the Muscogee Bridge. He was a volunteer district chief at the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, volunteer assistant district chief for the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, and lived a life of public service.
Bradshaw was also a Department of Defense firefighter at Naval Air Station Pensacola, an U.S. Army veteran, a member of the Mississippi Air National Guard and a former police officer in Bay Minette.
Incumbent District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh Pre-files To Seek Reelection In 2024
October 9, 2022
Incumbent Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh pre-filed Friday to see reelection. He pre-filed as a Republican for the 2024 election.
Tenth-Ranked Argos Right At Home As They Run Together Past UWG
October 9, 2022
Adding to its trend of gems, UWF’s football team continues feeling right at home on the road.
The 10th-ranked Argos seized control of a tied game midway through the third quarter, then overpowered conference rival West Georgia 42-28 Saturday night for their 12th consecutive road victory – a streak that now spans three seasons.
It’s the nation’s second longest in Division II, another part of the Argos’ mantle of feats in their six-year history. The Argos big win also continued an uncanny element of this contentious series, where the visiting team has won each time.
In fact, UWF is now 4-0 at West Georgia’s University Stadium when factoring the Argos upset playoff win in 2017 en route to reaching the NCAA D-2 national title game that season.
The latest win put the Argos at 4-1, 2-1 in the Gulf South Conference, tied with West Alabama (4-2, 2-1) in the conference standings, following UWA’s upset win Saturday at Valdosta State. UWF faces another road trip next Saturday to play Shorter (2-4, 0-3).
On this night, UWF smoothed out its performance from a rocky first half.
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett committed three turnovers in the game’s first 25 minutes, including a pair of interceptions – one of which UWG turned into a touchdown drive – plus a fumble he lost at the Wolves 21.
But the transfer junior was dynamite in the second half.
He passed for 120 yards and two scores, plus rushed for 43 of his 71 yards in the game on a game-sealing drive late in the fourth quarter. He also scored a rushing touchdown late in the second quarter.
“He was on fire,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “He took (first half troubles) personal. We want the ball in his hands. Our offense I think is very close to just taking this thing to the next level.”
After Jarrett had a two-yard run to the UWG 21 late with less than two minutes remaining, which forced a final time out from West Georgia, the Argos faced a 3rd-and-9 play. In a defining moment, UWF’s offensive line opened up a mass passageway on the left side that Shomari Mason raced through for a game-sealing touchdown with 1:42 remaining.
On that play, Mason became UWF’s all-time, career rushing leader with 2,016 yards, breaking the mark set by Chris Schwarz (1,992) during UWF’s first three seasons (2016-18). Mason’s two TDs Saturday gave him a school record 21 rushing scores in his career, pushing him past Anthony Johnson Jr., a Pace High grad, who amassed 20 in four seasons (2017-19 and 2021).
Mason is already the UWF record holder for most overall touchdowns, now with 23.
His first touchdown Saturday was a game-changer.
Coming out of halftime with the scored tied 14-14, the Wolves got the ball to start the third quarter. On a second down play, UWF linebacker Gael Laurent stripped the ball from West Georgia quarterback Harrison Frost. The Argos Aidan Swett recovered at the West Georgia 23.
On the next play, Mason broke free to break the tie on a 23-yard run.
“Oh my god… that was unbelievable,” Shinnick said. “We were hoping to right the ship just a little bit…. we turned the ball over three times in the first half. To get that (turnover) and have Shomari take to the house on the next play, that was unbelievable.”
Even though West Georgia answered on the ensuing possession with a 15-play, 82-yard drive to tie the game at 21, the Argos offense never lost its edge.
UWF followed right back in three plays when Jarrett hit Caden Leggett on a deep sideline route with a throw over the cornerback’s outstretched arm. Leggett raced untouched for a 62-yard touchdown.
The Argos defense then came up with another big play when De’Mareyae Givens intercepted a Frost pass at the UWF 34, less than minute into the fourth quarter.
Facing 3rd-and-18 from his own 37, Jarrett made his biggest play when he rolled out, escaped a rush and found receiver Larry Rembert for a 20-yard gain. Three plays later, Jarrett threw a perfect, back-shoulder pass to David Durden, who leaped above the cornerback to catch the ball and get a foot in bounds on a 21-yard score.
It put UWF up by two scores (35-21) with 10:53 remaining, which was ironically the same point difference the Argos rallied from behind in the past two games at home.
West Georgia got within a touchdown after its 12-play, 79-yard drive that finished with a rushing touchdown from the 1 with 5:39 remaining. The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Argos good field position at the West Georgia 35.
The Argos offensive line and rushing game took over from there. Jarrett’s third-down conversion run to the 22 kept the drive going and set up Mason’s game-clinching run.
UWF is now 29-9 all-time on the road, including 27-5 in the last five seasons. UWF’s defense has forced 16 turnovers in seven games against West Georgia – the most against any opponent – and with 12 of those turnovers happening at UWG’s University Stadium.
UWF finished the game Saturday with 199 yards rushing, 235 yards passing, which continues a balance established in the season’s first game. The Argos now have thrown for at least one touchdown pass in 50 consecutive games.
By Bill Vilona
GoArgos Senior Writer
Photo: Morgan Givens
Tommie Holland Cawthon
October 9, 2022
Tommie Holland Cawthon passed away peacefully at his home with his grandson by his side. He was an avid racer and spent most Saturdays at Southern Raceway and the Down to Earth Mud Track. He was a natural born mechanic, and has forgotten more than most people would ever know about automobiles.
Tommie was a great father and grandfather. He will be missed by his family and great Racetrack family. He was the most genuine and down to earth, non-judgmental, sweetheart of a person that anyone could ever meet.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Estelle Coleman, his wife, Linda Cawthon, his sister Shirley Roper and her husband Lamar, his brother, Wayne Cawthon and his wife Dee, and his brother Ronnie Cawthon Sr.
He is survived by his two daughters, Ruby Ravae Mayhair (Chris), Robin Gerich, four grandchildren, Daiva Smith (Darren), Lexxie Ethridge, Tommy Wayne Mayhair, and Christopher Glenn, who is on the way, his great grandson, Christopher Smith, his brother, Rickey Cawthon, his two sisters, Rosie Pettit and Dorothy Eccles, and a host of nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.