335 Lot Subdivision Planned For End Of East Kingsfield
August 22, 2023
A new 335-lot residential subdivision is proposed for the eastern end of Kingsfield Road.
The project would be constructed in one phase on 131 acres for a density of 2.55 single family lots per acre with access from East Kingsfield Road and also from Paddlewheel Way.
The proposal from Hammond Engineering is set for a pre-application meeting before the Escambia County Development Review Committee on Wednesday.
Cantonment Man Wanted By U.S. Marshals Charged With Fleeing Deputies
August 22, 2023
A Cantonment man wanted by U.S. Marshals was arrested with drugs after trying to flee from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Deputies attempted to stop a Chevrolet four-door sedan driven by 31-year old James Lee Purifoy, Jr., in the area of Dudley Avenue and Willis Street. Purifoy fled at a high rate of speed, and the pursuit was terminated in a residential neighborhood for safety, according to the ECSO.
Deputies followed and observed the vehicle stop in the front yard of a home on Willis Street. Purifoy was detained and spontaneously stated he fled because he has federal warrants, an arrest report states. Deputies located a clear plastic bag containing seven grams of marijuana in his front shorts pocket.
Purifoy was charged with fleeing or eluding law enforcement with lights and sirens activated, knowingly driving a motor vehicle while his driver’s license was suspended second or subsequent offense and possession of marijuana under 20 grams. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with a hold from the U.S. Marshals.
The ECSO report does not specify the nature of the federal charges.
Clinton Douglas Eugene Radford
August 22, 2023
Clinton Douglas Eugene Radford, age 29, of Atmore, AL passed away on August 20, 2023.
He was born on May 24, 1994 in Brewton, AL to Douglas and JoAnne Caraway Radford.
He cherished his time with his family. He enjoyed four-wheeler riding, hunting, fishing and trips to Bailey’s Creek. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Virginia Dare Radford, Clinton Bruce Radford, Dorothy Anne Caraway and James “Cobb” Caraway, and his sister, Virginia Anne Radford.
He is survived by his wife, Kylie Morgan Radford; his parents, Douglas and JoAnne Radford of Huxford, AL; his sisters, Patricia Dare Radford of Huxford, AL and Pamela Darline (Leslie) Cruit of Huxford, AL along with his niece and nephews, William, Michael, Gracie, Elliott and Kyle.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jason Handley officiating.
Edward Eugene ‘Billy’ Bush
August 22, 2023
Edward Eugene “Billy” Bush answered the call of the Master of Breath on Thursday, August 17, 2023, surrounded by his loving family as he went Home. Billy is preceded in death by his father Willis Bush, mother Edna Marie Godwin, sisters Margaret Beasley, Sybil Phelps, Louise Smith, Diane Little, and brothers Charles Bush and Hiram Bush. He is survived by wife of 68 years Addie Ruth Beasley Bush, sons Ken (Sharon) Bush, Byron (Sally) Bush, and daughter Cindy (Dan) Helms, grandchildren Curtis (Lisa) Bush, Kyna (Lalo) Magaña, Cely (Marvin) Morales, Leron (Tori) Bush, Cheryl Bush, Trina (Mark) Sizemore, and Kevin Augustine, great grandchildren Mikayla Bush, Chase and Tatyana Hulsey, Audrey Bush, Dustin Mitchell, Curtis Bush, Jr., Ethan and Miley Magaña, Cydney Sizemore, Skyler and Wyatt Morales, Emmy Dee and Theo Bush, expectant great-great grandchildren Addie Ruth Bush and Xander Andrew Mitchell, brothers Joe and Wayne Bush, sisters Rose Hutchinson, Alice Toohill, and Vivian Douglass, and a great many nieces and nephews. Billy was born in Covington County, Alabama where he helped his parents provide for their large family by farming alongside his father. He then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War before moving to Pensacola, Florida where he worked as a Mechanic Supervisor at Monsanto Textile Company for 32 years. After retiring from Monsanto, he worked as Warehouse Supervisor at Gulf Coast Marine and several part-time jobs for several years before fully retiring to devote full time to work on his “Honey Do” list. Billy was a member of Stokes Lodge F&AM Grand Lodge of Alabama for 68 years, the Scottish Rite Valley of Pensacola, Union No. 7 York Rite, R&SM, No. 6 Mount Horeb RAM, Coeur De Lion Commandry #1 Knights Templar, San Carlos Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, Spirit of Truth Tabernacle LXXI Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar, and Order of the Eastern Star No. 244 for 55 years. He was also a Beloved Elder of the Santa Rosa Band of the Lower Muscogee Indian tribe. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Billy was a beacon of strength, love, and wisdom for his family and the community. He and his Wife Ruth together built a life full of memories, love, and laughter. As the patriarch of the Bush family, Billy exemplified hard work, dedication, and unwavering love. Family always remained his top priority. He was a cornerstone, always there to offer advice, share a story, or lend a helping hand. Billy loved to laugh and have fun with his family and friends. He enjoyed working outdoors and he could figure out how to fix anything. He also loved good food and was known to carry a fork in his shirt pocket just in case. Billy’s legacy of love, tenacity, and kindness will forever be etched in the memories of all who knew him. He was not just the patriarch of the Bush family but also a stalwart pillar of the community. He will be sorely missed but his teachings and values will live on for generations to come.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30AM on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Dr. Dale Patterson and Rev. Ronald Beasley officiating. Interment will be in Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 10:30AM prior to services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Rose Marie McGhee
August 22, 2023
Rose Marie McGhee, age 68, of Poarch, AL passed away on August 22, 2023 in Poarch, AL.
She was born on March 6, 1955 in Florence, AL to Otis and Clara Butler McGhee. Rose was a member of Poarch Baptist Church and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. During her career, she worked for a Cookie Factory in Chicago, IL, and later with Vanity Fair Corporation and as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Teresa Lee Jay; her brother, Harold McGhee; her grandson, Patrick Jay and her granddaughter, Rebecca.
She is survived by her son, James Ivy of TN; her daughter, Jessica Ivy of Poarch, AL; her brothers, Otis McGhee, Jr. of Brewton, AL and Christopher (Denise) Johnson of Cherokee, AL; her sister, Renee (Pernell) Blackwell of Leesburg, AL; special cousins, Sandra Steverson, Willie Faye Thomas, Connie Vickery and Patricia Wessel; eleven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; numerous family and friends. She was loved by the Poarch Community.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Poarch Baptist Church with Speaker Eric Steverson officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill
Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Marion McGhee, Odell McGhee, Robbie McGhee, Brent Pinkston, Timothy Jay, Jereme Tucker, Trevor McLain, and Corey Grimes.
Honorary pallbearers will be Chelsey Short, Pasley Tucker, Hope Tucker, Kayla Taylor, Harlee McLain, Bruce Vickery and Justin Keeton.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 25, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Poarch Baptist Church.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Fred Frank Hicks
August 22, 2023
Fred Frank Hicks resident of McDavid, Florida passed away on August 21, 2023 at the age of 94. Mr. Hicks was born in Barth, Florida on March 4, 1929 to the late Frank Hicks and Edna Bush Hicks. He served in the United States Air Force for 4 years and worked at St. Regis Paper Mill for 34 years.
He was a member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Mr. Hicks was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Kathryn Abramovich Hicks.
He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda H. (Brian) Bruley; son, Edward J. (Valerie) Hicks; 4 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and his last living sibling, Linda H. Perry.
Funeral Services will be Friday, September 1, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, McDavid, FL. Visitation will be one hour prior at 10 a.m.. Interment will follow in Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
ECUA To Vote On 9.5% Sanitation Rate Increase With ‘Free’ Second Can, 5% Hike For Water And Sewer
August 21, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authorities will vote Tuesday on a proposed 9.5% rate increase for all sanitation customers and 5% for water and sewer.
Facing a potential $1.8 million shortball and big problems with the wrong items being placed in recycling cans, staff had proposed a more modest 3.5% rate increase for sanitation customers plus a $3 a month recycling fee.
The 9.5% increase will raise the rate for a 90-gallon container from $27.67 to $29.88 and include an optional additional trash or recycling can at no cost.
ECUA is also raising rates on seven entities outside Escambia County — like Foley, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County — from their current $15-$45 per ton for recyclables to a flat $60 per ton due to high contamination levels.
ECUA staff had proposed a 4% rate increase for water and 6% for wastewater. The board will consider an increase to both water and wastewater by 5%.
The rate increases will return to the ECUA board Tuesday at 3 p.m. for a final vote.
Kickoff Classic Bonus Photos: Northview, Ernest Ward Cheerleaders
August 21, 2023
The Northview Chiefs and the Ernest Ward Middle Eagles took on Baker Friday night in a kickoff classic.
For a bonus photo gallery with the cheerleaders from NHS and EWMS, click here.
For a game action story and photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Longtime Santa Rosa Commissioner Don Salter Passes Away
August 21, 2023
Former Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter passed away Sunday morning.
Salter was born in Jay in 1947.
He attended Troy State University and graduated with a master of science degree in management. After graduating, Salter proudly served his country as a United States Army paratrooper from 1965 to 1968. His last 15 months in Vietnam were served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade as a combat platoon sergeant where he was awarded the bronze star medal.
Upon leaving the Army, Salter started his career with the Gulf Power Company where he quickly moved up to serve as the Santa Rosa County District Manager. He retired from Gulf Power in 2000 after 32 years of service.
After retiring he decided to run for county commissioner to continue serving the county he loved. He was first elected in November 2000 and then re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. He served as chairman in 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2020.
As a county commissioner, Salter was instrumental in economic development, agriculture, military and veteran affairs. He worked for many years protecting and enhancing military installations, especially NAS Whiting Field.
Over a span of more than 20 years, Salter was involved in many community organizations. He was the founder of the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Plaza. He also served as chairman of the Emerald Coast Honor Flight, the Santa Rosa Initiative Committee and the Santa Rosa Military Advisory Council.
Salter received many leadership awards including the Community Leader of the Year Award, Santa Rosa County Hall of Fame Award, Santa Rosa County Man of the Year Award, Spirit of Santa Rosa Award, Friend of Agriculture for Santa Rosa County, and the Business Leader of the Year Award, among others.
In 2022, Don Salter Boulevard leading into the Whiting Aviation Park was named in his honor.
Century Man Arrested On Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
August 21, 2023
A Century man was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop in Atmore.
Jeffie Dewitt Morris, 50, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Atmore Police Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Morris for any equipment violation.
“The officer noticed some strange behavior during their interaction,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said. An Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office K-9 deputy stopped to assist, and his K-9 alerted on a vehicle.
A subsequent search located located a green leafy substance that was identified by Morris as synthetic cannabis (Spice), multiple blunts containing a green leafy substance that field tested positive for marijuana, a spoon with a crystal-like residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine, and a glass pipe with a crystal-like residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine, according to police. He was also cited for improper lights.
Morris was released on bond from the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.