Herbert Eugene “Gene” Bailey
December 12, 2023
Herbert Eugene “Gene” Bailey, 78, of Pensacola, FL, passed away on December 8, 2023.
Gene was born on July 4, 1945 in Fort Walton Beach, FL to Dorothy and Hubert “Bill” Bailey. He recently retired after 27 years of combined military service.
Gene worked as a butcher, provided meals for his fellow veterans, and operated many concessions throughout the city. He was known as “Mean Gene,” and he took pride in his famous “Mean Gene” burgers. Gene rooted for the Florida State Seminoles and the Kansas City Chiefs, enjoyed traveling with his wife of 54 years, and spending time with his daughters and animals.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Steven Bailey and Allen Bailey; sister Rosetta Blauser.
Survivors include his loving wife Sherry Bailey; daughters Jennifer Trawick (partner Alicia Trawick) and Jamie Bailey-White (Ricky White); sister Carol Palmer; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at 1 pm until a memorial service at 2 pm Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home on Beverly Parkway.
A committal service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 1:30 pm. Anyone in attendance is requested to arrive at Faith Chapel at 12:30 pm to join the funeral procession.
The family would like to thank the many nurses for their vigilant and tender care.
Georgetta Penland Dixon
December 12, 2023
Georgetta Penland Dixon, 81, of Cantonment, Florida, passed away Thursday, December 7, 2023. Georgetta was born November 2, 1942 in Highlands, North Carolina to James N. Penland and Mozelle Chastain Penland. She married Joe F. Dixon, August 7, 1962 in West Palm Beach, Florida. They were happily married for 49 years. Georgetta worked for nearly 30 years for the State of Florida as a benefit recovery specialist.
Georgetta enjoyed spending time with her son, Jeff and wife, Melody, her grandchildren, Jennifer and Wesley, and her great grandchildren, Madison, Hudson, and Lillian. She was an avid reader, and fan of races at Five Flags Speedway and NASCAR Racing.
Georgetta is preceded in death by her husband, Joe F. Dixon; mother, Mozelle Burrell; step-father, Shirley Burrell; and her father, James N. Penland.
She is survived by her son, Jeffrey S. Dixon (Melody) of Tallahassee, Florida; grandchildren, Jennifer Dixon and Wesley Dixon; great-grandchildren, Madison, Hudson, and Lillian; sister, Elaine Tilson of Highlands, North Carolina; and her nephew and nieces, David, Gabriel, and Jessica.
Visitation services for Georgetta Penland Dixon will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
She will be laid to rest with her husband, Joe F. Dixon at Barrancas National Cemetery at a later date.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Ronald Eugene Hopkins
December 12, 2023
Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Rollie and Mary Hopkins; and his brother, Buddy Hopkins.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Hopkins; son, Greg Hopkins (Kristy); daughter, Bridget Burkett (Chris); sister, Alice McCurdy (Henry); and grandchildren, Haylee, Peyton, Anna, Briana, and Gillian.
Memorial services for Ronnie Hopkins will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. The family will receive friends for visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Memorial services will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Brother Mike Skipper officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ronald Eugene Hopkins please visit our Sympathy Store.
Here Are The Road Work Construction Spots To Watch This Week
December 11, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297) - Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Sunday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 14 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- 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 Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the end of the year as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (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 and nighttime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Dec. 11 through Friday, Dec. 15 as crews perform signing and pavement marking work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through the end of the year as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- Quintette Road – resurfacing from Highway 95A to the Santa Rosa County line begins Monday, December 11.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), from north of Interstate 10 (I-10) to Davis Highway - Northbound traffic, between Pelican Lane and Scenic Ridge Drive, is shifted to the inside so crews can perform construction activities. The shift will remain in place until the work on the shoulder is completed. During construction, one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction and left turns will be permitted.
- S.R. 296 (Brent Lane) Routine Maintenance from North Davis Highway to Evergreen Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent eastbound lane closures Tuesday, Dec 12 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for maintenance on sewer main.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Davis Highway Overpass – Motorists will encounter intermittent westbound lane closures Thursday, Dec. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 12 through Friday, Dec. 15 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- 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 Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Dec. 10, through Friday, Dec. 15, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 87 southbound lane closures, between Technology Avenue and Hickory Hammock Road, Monday, Dec. 11 through Friday, Dec. 15, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for turn lane construction.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
‘Real Life Grinch’ Destroys Business Windows Across Block of Downtown Atmore
December 11, 2023
The Atmore Community joined together Sunday in a recovery effort after a man described as a “Grinch’ shattered or busted out the glass windows and doors of numerous downtown South Main Street businesses just hours before the town’s Christmas parade.
Shawn Edward Brown was quickly developed as a suspect and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton without bond early Sunday afternoon.He was charged with 11 counts of first degree criminal mischief and third degree burglary.
Officers learned he was in a vacant building in the 200 block of West Louisville Avenue. Police said Brown broke a window pane to the front door, unlocked the door and entered the building. He then damaged several walls.
According to the non-profit Main Street Atmore organization, windows or doors were damaged at a list of locations on South Main Street:
- We Care Thrift Store
- Lance’s Outlet
- Hawt Mess Boutique
- Strand Theatre
- Encore
- Atmore News
- Tot Shop
- Atmore Flower Shop
- Williams Station Embroidery
- building owners John Kipper and Andy Anderson
Many of the downtown storefront windows were decorated with Christmas displays.
The Pride of Atmore group canceled a Sunday afternoon showing of “The Grinch” due to safety concerns over shattered glass. A group of citizens worked to organize an effort to cover boarded up windows with Christmas wrapping paper prior to the Christmas parade.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience. A real life grinch of a fit decided to hurt every business and business owner on the south west corner of downtown Atmore,” the group said.
Main Street Atmore made an immediate offer of $500 for each business to help with repair efforts with the possibility of additional grants or funds to come in the future. The non-profit was also soliciting tax-deductible donations mailed to Main Street Atmore, 201 Louisville Avenue, Atmore, AL 36502.
Tate Aggies Baseball Team Gifts Books, Reads To O.J. Semmes Elementary Students
December 11, 2023
The Tate High School Aggies baseball team visited O.J. Semmes Elementary School Friday, gifting books and reading to kindergarten students.
In addition to the books, the Aggies also provided cookies and juice.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Spelling Bee Winners Announced
December 11, 2023
Escambia County Public Schools has announced the winners from the 48th Annual Sandy Sansing Spelling Bee.
Mason Shiueh, a fifth-grade student at Kingsfield Elementary School, emerged as the champion, showcasing an exceptional command of the English language and spelling prowess.
Ty Hagan, a fifth-grade student from Byrneville Elementary, was the second-place finalist and Aria Hungerford, a fifth-grade student from Sherwood Elementary, as the third-place finalist.
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
December 11, 2023
Northview High has named their Students of the Month for November. They are Xyria Henry Martin and Sophia Ann Marie Jones.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Peggy Pal Yates Latty
December 11, 2023
Peggy Pal Yates Latty, 89, of Stanton, Texas, passed away on December 08, 2023.
Visitation will be held on December 15, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service will take place on December 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow on December 15, 2023, at Little Escambia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Florida Gas Prices Sink To New 2023 Low, AAA Says
December 11, 2023
Florida gas prices are now the lowest of 2023, according to AAA> The state average dropped 15 cents last week, settling at $3 per gallon on Sunday.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $2.84, with a low of $2.65 avilable on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Oil and gasoline futures prices plummeted last week, after a weekly fuel report showed strong refinery activity, leading to big gains in gasoline supplies,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “About 35% of Florida gas stations now have fuel below $3 a gallon. Nearly 10% of retailers have prices in the low $2.70s. While prices could bounce around in the coming weeks, drivers should expect pump prices to remain low through the holidays unless oil prices suddenly spike.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.