Samuel Keith ‘Sammy’ Gibbs
July 10, 2023
Mr. Samuel Keith “Sammy” Gibbs, age 61, passed away, Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Birmingham, AL. He has resided in the Atmore area most of his life and was a member of Unity Baptist Church.
Mr. Gibbs loved farming. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and going to the beach. He was president of Alfa Insurance Board for 20 years and an avid Auburn Football Fan. He was always a very generous and giving person.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee (Mary Frances) Gibbs, one nephew, Scott Gibbs.
He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Annette Gibbs, of Atmore, AL; one step-daughter, Brittany (Cody) McElroy, of Atmore, AL; two brothers, Tony (Wanda) Gibbs, of Walnut Hill, FL; Bob (Pam) Gibbs, of Monroeville, AL; one sister, Cheryl Gibbs, of Spanish Fort, AL; one step-grandson, Will McElroy, numerous nieces, nephews, a special friend, Tim Mullek, and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Josh Long and Rev. Bill Watts officiating.
Burial will follow at Canoe Freewill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 5, 2023 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Lowell, Greg Babiak, Brandon Amos, Jonathan Gibbs, Paige Gibbs, Michael Sonen.
John Calvin ‘Little Crow’ Dannelley
July 10, 2023
Mr. John Calvin “Little Crow” Dannelley, age 57, passed away, Monday, July 10, 2023, in Mobile, AL. He was a resident of Atmore most of his life. He was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and was employed with them for 6 years farming. He was a long haul truck driver for many years.
Mr. Dannelley enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and his dog “Sassy”. He enjoyed riding and doing tractor work. He was an avid Alabama Football Fan and enjoyed sitting around in his recliner watching westerns.
He is preceded in death by his father, James Calvin Dannelley, mother, Mable McGhee St. Germain, and one brother, Bobby Dannelley.
He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Sandra Dannelley, of Lottie, AL; two step-sons, Joseph Lee (Sadie) Boyette, of Dover, DE; Kenneth Lee Boyette, of TN; one sister, Cindy Bryars, of Poarch, AL; two grandchildren, Ryan Boyette, Kaitlyn Boyette, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Leon McGhee officiating.
Burial will follow at McCullough Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 12, 2023 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Bobby Lassiter, Michael Lassiter, Newton Lassiter, Thomas “Big Boy” Dalrymple, Jonathan Partin, and David Byrd.
Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Ordis, Brian Adkinson, Darrell Hollinger, Charles Michael Gregson, Bubba O’Barr, and John Dalrymple.
81-Year Old Highway 4 Bridge Closes Monday For Replacement; 330 Day Detour Planned
July 9, 2023
Work begins Monday to replace the Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek, about halfway between Byrneville and Bratt, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. A detour is set to be in place for nearly a year.
Crews will make drainage improvements and reconstruct the roadway approaching the bridge. This will include milling and resurfacing the pavement, widening travel lanes,and placing new signage and pavement markings.
The state budget included $3,837,105 to replace the structurally deficient bridge The bridge and roadway are owned by Escambia County, but the work will be done under a locally funded agreement with FDOT.
For more photos, click or tap here.
A 330-day detour is planned from Highway 4 to Bratt Road (the eastern end of Bratt Road closer to Century) to Pine Barren Road, to Highway 4 (near Northview High School).
The portion of Highway 4 to be closed is 4.14 miles; the detour will be 5.67 miles. The average daily traffic count is 1,800 vehicles per day.
The bridge constructed in 1942 is 225 feet long and has wood supports, some of which were failing and were later reinforced with steel.
A smaller Highway 4 bridge located just to the east of the Canoe Creek bridge is not set for replacement at this time.
For more photos, click or tap here.
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Showers And Thunderstorms Possible Sunday Night
July 9, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 85. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Hunting, Fishing Violations; Perdido River Patrol
July 9, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement recently reported the following activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Specialist Ramos was on patrol and stopped a boat coming in from offshore fishing to conduct a resource inspection. The four occupants were in possession of red snapper during the closed season and undersized gray triggerfish. Appropriate citations were issued.
Officer Pettey was patrolling on Escambia River when he checked an individual who had bush hook equipment. After a short conversation, Officer Pettey found the individual had already set several hooks. The subject did not reveal the correct locations, however Officer Pettey was able to locate them. The bush hooks were not properly marked as required. Officer Pettey cited the individual for the violation.
Officers Allgood and Hahr teamed up with FWC’s avian pilot T. Tolbert to work a detail focusing on Alabama anglers fishing in Florida waters. They located four vessels in possession of red snapper in Florida waters. The captains of each vessel were charged with possession of red snapper during closed season.
Officers Allgood and Hahr participated in a detail with multiple Alabama agencies targeting illegal activity along the Perdido River. Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries officers, state lands officers, troopers, Florida Marine Patrol, sheriff’s deputies, and FWC officers worked their respective wildlife management areas along Perdido River and made numerous arrests for narcotics and underaged alcohol consumption. Citations were issued for possession of alcoholic beverages, fishing without licenses, and illegal camping. The officers focused on public recreational areas where families gather for enjoyment. The detail resulted in over 70 citations/arrests.
Officer Hahr responded to a complaint about an RV parked at a state boat ramp in Pensacola. Upon his arrival, he observed an unregistered motorhome and vehicle parked in the middle of the parking lot. The two owners were present and had set up residence at the ramp. They were not licensed drivers and had not transferred the vehicle titles into their names. The officer charged both subjects with operating unregistered vehicles and communicated the need to find an appropriate place to take their RV and vehicle.
Officers Allgood and Hahr were on patrol and working boating safety in the Intracoastal Waterway in the Big Lagoon area when they observed a subject on a personal watercraft in violation of the idle speed zone. They stopped the subject and immediately observed several indicators of impairment. The man performed poorly on standard field sobriety tasks and refused to provide a breath sample. He was booked at the Escambia County Jail for boating under the influence and refusal to submit to a breath test.
Officers Bower and Corbin were on patrol in the Pensacola Pass when they observed a vessel returning with fishing equipment displayed. A vessel stop was conducted for a resource inspection. During the inspection, eight undersized greater amberjack and one undersized gray triggerfish were located on the vessel. The subjects were each issued resource citations for the violations.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Mullins received a complaint of individuals illegally living in Blackwater State Forest Wildlife Management Area. Officer Mullins and Lieutenant Berryman located the subjects who were situated off a small forest trail. They were illegally camping in a 20’ camper trailer, which had a strong smell of illegal drugs emitting from it. They had two broken down vehicles, litter, pets off leash, and cut trees in the area. The subjects were issued multiple citations and trespassed from the area.
Over Memorial Day weekend, Officers Corbin and Mullins were patrolling Blackwater River State Park for public safety purposes and conducting traffic stops in high pedestrian areas. While in the area, the Officers stopped a vehicle with an expired tag. It was determined the operator was a habitual traffic violator with nine prior driving-while-license-suspended/revoked convictions. The subject was placed under arrest, charged and transported to the county jail.
While on patrol in Blackwater State Forest Wildlife Management Area, Officer Mullins stopped a subject operating an all-terrain vehicle. The officer determined the subject is suspended from hunting and fishing under the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact for a previous hunting violation. At the time of the stop, the subject was in possession of a fishing rod, gig, and fishing net and had a bucket of bream he illegally caught in the area. The subject was charged an additional three times and issued a citation for the ATV violation.
Officer Corbin was on patrol at Navarre Beach boat ramp when he was flagged down about a hit and run accident in the parking lot. As the officer approached the area, the vehicle returned to the parking lot. Vehicle damage was observed on the rear of the vehicle and the driver side of the other vehicle. While speaking with the operator of the vehicle, the subject had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath and showed other signs of impairment. The subject agreed to perform standard field sobriety tasks and showed signs of impairment. The subject was placed under arrest for driving under the influence and later provided breath samples over the legal limit. The subject was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail for DUI and causing property damage.
Officers Mullins and Corbin were on park patrol in Blackwater State Park when they observed a vehicle being operated with a tag that expired in 2013. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. The driver has had nine previous convictions for driving on a suspended/revoked license and was placed under arrest for felony driving with a suspended/revoked license.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Inmate Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer
July 9, 2023
Inmate Lashawn Jones recently assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Jones is serving a five year sentence for a 2020 conviction in Miami-Dade for robbery with a gun. He was previously set for release in October 2025.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
About 200 Attend Gonzalez Community Picnic Saturday (With Gallery)
July 9, 2023
About 200 people attended a free community picnic Saturday at Gonzalez Baptist Church.
The event included a free barbecue lunch, live music from the Smith Family singers, games and treats for kids of all ages, food for the needy and much more.
“Many families received encouragement and physical and emotional help,” Pastor Mike Mashburn said. It was a great day of community service.”
For more photos, click or tap here.
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Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
July 9, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The I-10 Welcome Center located on I-10 eastbound, (mile marker four) will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 11 through Thursday, July 13. In addition, the outside lane of I-10 eastbound near the Welcome Center and the on- and off-ramps to the Welcome Center will be closed. Drivers may use the I-10 eastbound rest area at mile marker 29 during these times. The Welcome Center, along with the front and middle parking lots, will remain open daily from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., but the truck parking area will remain closed until work concludes at the Welcome Center this summer.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on East Nine Mile Road, between Chemstrand Road and Baldridge Drive, Sunday, July 9 through Thursday, July 13 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway. In addition, the bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes and the speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete later this summer.
- Lillian Highway (State Road (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter daytime shoulder and lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, July 9 through Thursday, July 13 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews continue drainage improvements, final grading and sodding work.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers may encounter alternating daytime lane closures on Navy Boulevard, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, July 7 through Friday, July 14 as crews perform final work list items.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. The shift will be in place through August as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, between Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road, Sunday, July 9 through Thursday, July 13 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews place friction course on the roadway.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge - Work will begin Monday, July 10 on a $3.5 million project to replace the C.R. 4 bridge over Canoe Creek, between the Byrneville and Bratt communities. Crews will make drainage improvements and reconstruct the roadway approaching the bridge. This will include milling and resurfacing the pavement, widening travel lanes, and placing new signage and pavement markings. During construction, a four-mile segment of C.R. 4 will be temporarily closed just west of the Town of Century. Drivers will be directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4. The project is estimated for completion in fall 2024.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/State Road (S.R.) 95), from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Work will begin Monday, July 10 on a $9 million project to mill and resurface North Palafox Street from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane. The project will also include upgrading traffic signals, curb and gutter, pavement markings, and sidewalks, reconstructing the North Palafox Street/North Pace Boulevard/Massachusetts Avenue intersection and safety improvements between Cervantes Street and West Scott Street. During construction, drivers may encounter lane closures and lane shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily.
- U.S. 90 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at North G Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at North Reus Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at West Garden Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30/Gulf Breeze Parkway/Navarre Parkway) Resurfacing of select areas from Abercrombie Road to Calle De Palencia Street - Drivers on U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway), between S.R. 87 and Calle De Palencia Street, may encounter intermittent nightly lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, July 9, through Friday, July 14, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing from S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, July 10 and Thursday, July 13 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance on Blackwater Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent westbound lane closures near Exit 28, Sunday, July 9 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wahoos Fall Short To Shuckers In Saturday Slugfest
July 9, 2023
There haven’t been many Fireworks Saturdays at Blue Wahoos Stadium that resembled the latest one.
Except for the Blue Wahoos just missing on producing a grand finale.
In a game that featured 19 runs, 26 hits, 13 walks, 385 pitches and took 3 hours, 29 minutes to complete, the Biloxi Shuckers held on in the ninth inning for a 10-9 victory, which temporarily silenced a sellout crowd of 5,038 at the bayfront ballpark.
Until the actual fireworks, of course.
But the Blue Wahoos’ Norel González nearly created his own flare, launching a pitch to the base of the left field wall in the ninth inning after Griffin Conine reached on a walk. With two out, Dalvy Rosario singled to continue home team hopes.
Shuckers reliever Cam Robinson recorded his fifth save by striking out Cobie Fletcher-Vance to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos were a ground ball away from entering their at-bat with a tied game. Fletcher-Vance’s two-out throw on a slow chopper sailed wide, enabling Biloxi’s Carlos Rodriguez to reach and advance to second base.
The next batter, catcher Nick Kahle, jumped on the first pitch from Jefry Yan and sent it into right field for a run-scoring double. It became a hard-luck loss for Yan, who struck out three batters in two innings pitched.
Hours earlier, the game began as a batters’ fest.
There were 17 runs scored between the teams in the first three and a half innings, before pitching took over.
The game’s halfway point resembled baseball pinball with 16 hits between the teams and batters reaching and scoring in every half inning.
The Shuckers had already clubbed four home runs, including two bombs by Isaac Collins, their leadoff batter, who had hit just one homer this season.
In the first three innings, the Blue Wahoos answered each Biloxi lead. After Collins led off the game with a home run, Troy Johnston doubled home Jose Devers after his leadoff walk. Johnston then scored on a fielder’s choice and Victor Mesa Jr. advanced on an error, then scored on a wild pitch.
This was one of those nights which, fortunately for the Blue Wahoos, haven’t been frequent with their pitching staff.
Starter Jonathan Bermudez had his roughest outing this season. The lefthander was unable to get his fastball in desired locations and the Shuckers took full advantage.
They blasted seven extra-base hits off him, including the four home runs. He yielded nine runs on nine hits, along with three walks and a balk.
The Blue Wahoos had a four-run third inning that included a two-run homer by Mesa Jr. and a run scoring double by González.
Rosario finished 3-for-5 to lead Pensacola hitters. Troy Johnston was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and and RBI.
But it still became an uplifting night.
The Blue Wahoos’ Nasim Nuñez was the MVP of the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Seattle, leading the National League stars to a 5-0 win with his 3-run double. Pitcher Patrick Monteverde pitched the final inning, getting a game-ending double play.
In the Blue Wahoos game, the team hosted a “Home Run For Life” with 13-year-old Coady Lee circling the bases to celebrate his fight against leukemia. As he rounded the bases, both teams lined the two foul lines and Biloxi manager Mike Guerrero provided the final, classy touch as he tapped Coady before touching home plate.
The Blue Wahoos will try and gain a split of this week’s series in Sunday’s final game.
The Blue Wahoos’ Evan Fitterer (4-3, 4.34) will make a second start on the mound this week for the first time this season. The Shuckers will start James Meeker (4-3, 2.58) in the final game of the homestand and last one before a four-day break in the minor and major leagues that coincides with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
DeSantis Awards $35.8 Million For Fiber Broadband In Parts Of North Escambia, Santa Rosa County
July 8, 2023
Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced $35.8 million to expand broadband fiber internet access in portions of North Escambia and in northern Santa Rosa County.
In Escambia County, $1,444,738.50 was awarded for a Cox Communications project in portions of Molino, Cottage Hill, Quintette and Cantonment to add 20 miles of fiber optic cable to provide 78 unserved locations with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1GB.
In Santa Rosa County, $9,648,409.48 was awarded to Escambia River Electric Cooperatives partner Conexon Connect to add 756.1 miles of fiber optic cable to provide 217 unserved locations with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1GB to serve portions of the Town of Jay and the unincorporated areas of Allentown, Dixonville, Munson, Pine Level, Springhill and Whitfield.
Also in Santa Rosa County, $24,752,619.75 was awarded to Cox Communications to serve portions of the Town of Jay, Allentown, Dixonville, Munson, Pine Level, Springhill, Bagdad Whitfield, Dickerson, Avalon, Mulat, East Milton, Roeville and Harold.
“I could not be happier and more excited for my friends and neighbors in the greater Cottage Hill and Quintette communities who will be so positively impacted by this project,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “I want to thank Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Doug Broxson, Representative Michelle Salzman and Representative Alex Andrade for their continued support of broadband expansion in Escambia County. Also, I want to thank Cox Communications for their continued support of ensuring access to high speed internet in Escambia County and more specifically in District 5.”
“High-speed broadband Internet is important infrastructure for Florida communities and will generate economic development activity and a talented labor force,” said DeSantis. “Florida is proud to make investments in broadband Internet infrastructure that will benefit all Floridians and make long-term impacts in communities across the state.”
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.