Leslie Carole Clark Tuley
October 4, 2023
Leslie Carole Clark Tuley, 52, of Pensacola, FL, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, September 21, 2023.
Leslie was born July 29,1971, in Pensacola, FL, where she lived most of her life. She graduated from Woodham High School in 1989 and then attended the University of West Florida. There she met and later married her first husband, Jim Howard, in 1991. Her one foray away from Pensacola came when Jim’s employment transferred him to Illinois for a short time until they could find their way back. For 20+ years, she totally involved herself in the raising of three beautiful daughters. She nurtured them through elementary and middle school, and by the time they became students at Tate High School, she became a chorus volunteer for Destiny, a band parent for Kathryn, and a theatre audience for Angela. It was through theatre that she met director Steven Tuley. The next chapter of her life was ready to be opened, and she married Steven in 2014. For the last nine years of her life, Leslie recaptured her love of cross-stitching and jigsaw puzzling. She could enjoy quiet times sitting on the couch watching TV with Steve and her constant companion, Lily, who grieves her loss immensely. She was working on overcoming some plaguing health problems so they could enjoy their time together after Steve’s retirement.
Leslie is preceded in death by her parents, Gene Pearson Clark and Kathryn Annette Drummond Clark.
She is survived by her husband, Steven Robert Tuley; parents, Michael Warren Brock & Patricia Elaine Crane Brock; daughters, Destiny Elaine Howard (Blake) Thompson, Angela Gail Howard Holzapfel and Jonathan Holzapfel, and Kathryn Lorraine Howard; grandson, Wallace Edward Holzapfel; brother, Michael Russell (Tina) Brock; friend, Jim Howard; as well as a large and extended group of family and friends whom she dearly loved.
A visitation will be held 1:00pm until a Celebration of Life begins at 2:00pm Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32504.
$810K FEMA Drainage Project Planned For McElhaney Road in Bratt
October 3, 2023
Escambia County is set to soon begin a Hurricane Sally FEMA project to improve drainage structures on McElhaney Road just south of the state line in Bratt.
The $810,715.45 project will replace the drainage structures at 7200 and 8000 McElhaney Road. FEMA will fund $770,179.68 (95%) of the cost, while Escambia County will be responsible for $40,535.77 (5%).
The work includes clearing of all hurricane debris, removing damaged existing culvert pipes and riprap, installing a new pipe/box culvert, restabilizing and reconstructing the roadway pavement, and replacing riprap within the ditch bottom. Minor ditch regrading, resetting existing fence, and installing concrete ditch pavement will be required.
The project is anticipated to start in October and take about 180 days to complete.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
October 3, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School has named their September Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Haven Lambeth and Jani’la Durant
- 1st Grade: Ava Culliver and Emma Cash
- 2nd Grade: Kipton Little and Sieanna Lambeth
- 3rd Grade: Evin Levins and Jonah Levins
- 4th Grade: Jonah Coleman and Connor Levins
- 5th Grade: Kallie Ikner and Kinsley McKinnon
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Warm And Sunny Into Friday, Then Cooler Temps Arrive
October 3, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Columbus Day: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Lady Aggies Sweep FWB On Senior Night (With Photo Gallery)
October 3, 2023
Tate High School volleyball honored their seniors Monday night and swept three straight from the visiting Fort Walton Beach Vikings.
The Lady Aggies easily defeated FWB 25-7, 25-2, 25-12.
Before the match, the Lady Aggies recognized seniors Chloe Biggs, Lauren Durham, Payton Garrett, Alyssa Moodie, Riley Robbins and manager Caroline Armstrong.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Look for extra senior night photos at the end of the gallery.)
On Tuesday, the Lady Aggies (15-6) will visit Pensacola Catholic (4-16) at 6:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
IT ‘Security Event’ Impacting Circuit Courts For ‘Extended Period’
October 3, 2023
An “information technology security event” has impacted courts in the First Judicial Circuit.
Trial Court Administrator Kasey Watson said the “event will significantly affect court operations across the Circuit, impacting courts in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties, for an extended period”. In addition, email and phone service may be disrupted.
The court system is prioritizing and conducting essential court proceedings but may cancel and reschedule other proceedings and pause related operations for several days. Judges in the four countie will contact litigants and attorneys regarding any hearings scheduled to be held this week.
All court facilities remained open.
The incident is under investigation.
Former Senator Don Gaetz Launches Campaign For District 1 Seat
October 3, 2023
Former Sen. Don Gaetz has announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for State Senate District 1. The seat is currently held by Sen. Doug Broxson, who is leaving office in 2024 due to term limits.
Gaetz, father of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, represented Northwest Florida in the Senate from 2010 to 2016 and served two years as Senate president. Former State Rep. Frank White, who has been a candidate for the Senate seat, withdrew Monday to support Gaetz.
“I have a passion for public service,” White said. “It’s been my privilege to serve in the Florida House and I intend to continue my community service in the future. Now, however, Northwest Florida has an opportunity to be represented by Don Gaetz, a proven champion for our area and for our values. I am pleased to endorse him, and I will do all I can to secure his victory next November.”
“Frank White is a leader for the new Florida. He is a job-creator and business developer with a wonderful family and a deep commitment to his community,” Gaetz said. “I am proud to be his friend and have his endorsement. He has many supporters here and in Tallahassee whose confidence I hope to earn. I know that Frank will serve in elected office again and I look forward to working closely with him and supporting him.
Broxson, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined White in endorsing Gaetz. “Frank White has a bright future in public service,” Broxson said. “And Northwest Florida will be very well served with Don Gaetz back in the Senate. As a former presiding officer, Senator Gaetz has the skill and experience to be effective on day one. I’m delighted to endorse him and look forward to helping him win.”
Gaetz recently concluded five years as chairman of Triumph Gulf Coast where he presided over $300 million in grants to support job creation, career technical education and economic development in Northwest Florida. Gaetz authored and passed the legislation that created Triumph Gulf Coast which will be making an additional $1.2 billion in grants in the area over the next decade.
He is also vice cjair of the Florida Commission on Ethics and a board member of the Florida Education Foundation.
Gaetz is former superintendent of Okaloosa Schools and a long-time business owner in Northwest Florida. He co-founded VITAS Healthcare Corporation, the nation’s largest and leading provider of hospice care. Don and his wife, Vicky, have two adult children – Erin, a digital media producer and Matt, United States Congressman for Northwest Florida.
Northview Beats Pine Forest 3-1
October 3, 2023
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The 1A Northview Chiefs defeated the 5A Pine Forest Eagles 3-1 in high school volleyball Monday in Pensacola.
Northview won 25-23, 22-25. 25-17, 25-15.
Last month, Northview defeated Pine Forest 2-0 in Bratt in a match played without officials due to a scheduling problem.
Northview (10-4, 1-3) will host a district match against Laurel Hill (3-15, 0-5) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Robert Otis Thomas
October 3, 2023
Robert Otis Thomas, 67, of Molino, Florida, passed away Monday, October 2, 2023.
Robert, “Pops”, “Paw Paw”; a man of many titles. The one he loved to be called most was “Paw Paw”. He loved all his grand kids and they all loved him. He worked hard for his family for over 25 years being a roofer, and if he wasn’t doing that, he was helping whoever needed him. He was a jack of all trades. If you need something done, you called Pops.
His life was definitely one for the books. To be loved by many says a lot about someone. He left a little piece of himself in all of our hearts. He was a father figure to many.
Robert was preceded in death by his father, Malcolm Thomas Sr.; his brother, Jackie Thomas; daughter, Heather; and grandson, Noah James.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara Thomas; his children, Tara (James), Robert Jr. (Collyn), Nathan (Crystal), Patricia (Pete), Earnest (Jennifer), Kimberly; daughters, Robin, Michelle, and Joanna; his many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; his brothers, Malcolm Thomas and Johnny Thomas; his mother, Lura Mae Thomas; and many nieces and nephews.
He will forever be missed. Superman has hung his cape.
The family of Robert Otis Thomas will receive friends for visitation from 1-2 p.m., Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North (1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, Florida 32533).
Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. with Pastor Mike Mashburn officiating.
Robert will be laid to rest at Clear Springs Cemetery in Robertsdale, Alabama.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Violet M. Manning
October 3, 2023
Violet M. Manning, 90, passed away September 27 at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL. She was the widow of Merl S. Manning. They had shared sixty years of marriage together at the time of his passing in 2009.
Born in Pensacola, FL she was the daughter of Walter C. and Willie M. Taylor.
She was a member of Leonard Street Church of Christ and lived the life of a true Christian lady. She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, and her bluegrass music. She will be remembered for her smiling face, her singing and playing her wash-tub bass.
She is survived by son, Kenneth Manning (Lynn), ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and four great great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter “Dick” and Willie Taylor; brothers, Alan, Walter Ray and W.D. Taylor; sister, Lois Dolihite; husband, Merl Manning; son, Wayne Manning; daughter, Gay Turner; and grandson, Wade Manning.
Funeral services will be at Eastern Gate Funeral Home, 1985 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL on Saturday October 2, 2023. Visitation will begin at 11:30 with Chapel Service at 12:30. Burial to follow in Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.