Escambia Fire Lt. Steve Bode Retires After 32 Years
April 11, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue Lt. Richard “Steve” Bode has retired after 32 years of service to Escambia County.
Bode began his career with Escambia County in November of 1989 as a part-time EMS paramedic and went full-time on March 5, 1990. Bode transitioned to Escambia County Fire Rescue in 2000 as a Fire Lieutenant, where he served most of his tenure. During his time with ECFR, he remained a part-time paramedic for EMS for an additional 15 years.
Throughout his public safety career, Bode has worked during multiple emergency activations, including mutual aides, hurricanes, tornadoes, oil spills, ice storms, floods, the COVID-19 pandemic and several other local disasters affecting the citizens of Escambia County.
He attained his fire officer certification and has served as an alternate or acting battalion chief. He has spent many years mentoring and training fire personnel in basic and advanced life-saving emergency medical care and certifying paramedics in advance airway and critical care.
During his career, Bode responded to cardiac arrest events and other complicated medical emergencies. During one of those calls, he is credited with saving the life of a Navy pilot that was struck by a vehicle on Perdido Beach. The pilot remains in contact with Bode.
“Lt. Bode has had an amazing career stretching beyond his time as a career firefighter,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “Beyond being hired by ECFR, Steve was a volunteer firefighter at our Pensacola Beach fire station. In addition to the lives he’s saved, he has numerous surf rescues as well. Steve was also known for his abilities as a paramedic, having saved numerous lives in that capacity. His many, many years of service and talent will leave a void in the organization. We wish Steve the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
Partly Sunny For Tuesday; Thursday May Be A Washout
April 11, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 73. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Clara Pearl Stokes
April 11, 2023
Mrs. Clara Pearl Stokes, age 76, passed away, Sunday, April 9, 2023, in Pensacola, FL; surrounded by her family at her bedside. She resided in Pensacola, FL; before moving to McDavid, FL; in 1978. She enjoyed attending Cross Point Church in Atmore, AL. She was a Therapeutic Foster Parent for 20 years. She was employed with the Escambia County Florida School Board for many years.
Mrs. Stokes enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her sisters. She loved to read, go on cruises, play bingo and go to the casinos with her sisters. She loved to go out boating with all the family. She always enjoyed taking care of her home and yard.
Mrs. Stokes is preceded in death by her father, John Martin Fredrickson, Sr; mother, Marie Brown (Pete) Papour, grandson, Michael Shane Clemmons, two sisters, Lucy Marie Lopez, Mary Martha Guetherman.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bennie Earl Stokes, of McDavid, FL; one son, Martin Eugene (Ronda) Stokes, of Castleberry, AL; two daughters, Lisa Marie Kelley, of Baton Rouge, LA; Kerisa (Terry) Covas, of Mobile, AL; four brothers, John Martin (Susan) Fredrickson, Jr; of Jacksonville, FL; William Edward (Jane) Fredrickson, of St. Augustine, FL; James Ronald (Linda) Fredrickson, of Lake Park, GA; Thomas Joseph Fredrickson, of Elberta, AL; two sisters, Kathy Ann Bradley, of Dickinson, TX; Marie Frances Dorr, of St. Augustine, FL; seven grandchildren, Lisa Madison, Nathan Hunter Clemmons, Victoria Stokes (Jared Key), Cody (Courtney) Stokes, Toryn Kenneth Glisson, Kynsleigh Isabella Covas, Tripp Lionell Covas, nine great-grandchildren, Zakhel Cameron Clemmons, Zamya Jada Clemmons, Zayden Caleb Harrison, Zaria Sade Madison, Dani Nicole Clemmons, Gunner Pemberton, Tucker Stokes, Emberlyn Stokes, Clayton Stokes, numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Ed Boutwell officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 14, 2023 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Melvin Ray Emmons
April 11, 2023
Mr. Melvin Ray Emmons, age 61 of Brewton, AL, passed away on Monday, April 10, 2023, in a Pensacola hospice facility.
Mr. Emmons was born in Century, FL and lived most of his life in the Brewton area. He loved history and going fishing when he could. He was of the Holiness faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carney “Buddy” Emmons, Jr. and Mary Lyda Guy Emmons, and a sister, Debbie Carden.
He is survived by three sisters, Patricia Diane (Danny) Hendricks of Brewton, Shirley Ann Traweek, and Dana Michele Emmons, all of Brewton; a very special aunt, Madie Lee Chavers; nephews, Buddy (Lisa) Traweek and Tyler Jackson; niece, Candice (Wesley) Bonner; great-nephews, Jerry Wayne Carnley III, Cooper Nathaniel Carnley; great-niece, Madelyn Traweek.
Visitation will be held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 1:00 P.M. until service time at 2:00 P.M.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 2:00 P.M. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Bro. Tim Chavers officiating. Interment will follow in Pineview Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Buddy Traweek, Tyler Jackson, Jerry Wayne Carnley III, Steve Chavers, Sammy Emmons, and Bobby Franklin.
Honorary Pallbearer: Cooper Carnley.
Century Woman And Her Dog Rescued After Hitting Semi In Cantonment
April 10, 2023
A Century woman and her dog were trapped in their vehicle after crashing into a semi-truck early Monday morning in Cantonment.
The 42-year old woman hit a semi pulling a flatbed trailer and attached forklift about 5 a.m. on Highway 29 at Morris Avenue, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Firefighters from the Cantonment station of Escambia County Fire Rescue were quickly able to extricate both from the vehicle.
The woman was transported to a Pensacola hospital by Escambia County EMS, and animal control was called for the dog. There was no word on their conditions.
Pictured: A Century woman and her dog were trapped in this vehicle after it ran under a flatbed semi trailer (bottom photo) early Monday morning in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barber and others, click to enlarge.
Alabama State Trooper Shot Sunday Night; One Suspect Dead, Two Others Injured
April 10, 2023
The Alabama state trooper shot Sunday night in Escambia County (AL) has been identified as Cpl. Jeremy Alford. One suspect is dead, and two others were injured.
“I can confirm that there was a shooting in our county that involved a trooper, and he was injured ,” Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson told NorthEscambia.com. “We are praying for him and his family.”
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said Alford attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation near the 101 mile marker on I-65 in Conecuh County. The driver attempted to elude, and a pursuit followed. The chase continued south on I-65 nearly 25 miles to the Brewton exit and then traveled south on Highway 41.
The suspect vehicle left the roadway where the officer-involved shooting occurred along Highway 41 near Emmons Road, about seven miles south of I-65, or about eight miles north of the Brewton city limits.
Alford was transported to an area hospital for treatment. ALEA said one suspect was killed, and two others were injured and transported to an area hospital.
“After visiting with Cpl. Alford and his family this morning, I am extremely relieved and thankful to share that he is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Cpl. Alford acted with true courage and heroism over the course of the incident and was able to secure the scene and ensure public safety while injured. With nearly three decades in law enforcement, Cpl. Alford is a true professional and public servant, dedicated to keeping the citizens of his local community and the State of Alabama safe. I ask that you please continue to keep Cpl. Alford and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as we all look forward to a speedy recovery.”
ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation special agents are investigating the officer involved shooting. ALEA said the investigation is ongoing and the results will be presented to the Escambia County (AL) District Attorney’s Office.
Further details, including the names of the suspects, have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
More Lifeguards For Escambia Beaches? Leaders React After Multiple Rescues (With Gallery)
April 10, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to over a dozen water rescues in the last week — a few on Pensacola Beach but most on Perdido Key.
On Thursday, at least four people were transported to the hospital from Perdido Key.
There are no lifeguards on Perdido Key until Memorial Day; the federal government pays for Escambia County lifeguards on Johnson’s Beach.
That has led to discussion among county officials about adding more lifeguards on Perdido Key.
Photo Gallery: Lifeguards And Surfers On Pensacola Beach
“We have never provided lifeguards at our very small footprint access points on Perdido Key–although we do have signage warning of dangerous rip currents,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh wrote on his blog “With miles and miles of Federal, State, and privately owned beaches out there–we have a total of a little over 500 feet of publicly accessible, county owned beaches for use. So our (county) footprint is miniscule out there juxtaposed with the miles and miles of shoreline controlled by others. Nevertheless– We will be adding signage explaining that no lifeguards are present and swimmers must ‘Swim at their own risk’ at our access points in the weeks ahead. We will also add additional flagpoles at each access point and will have our fire station’s crew add the appropriate flag daily at our access points for visitor awareness.”
“When people go out to those beaches, they swim at their own peril,” Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said. “But we do have signage out there for people to understand rip currents. We have a flag system to understand what the conditions are.”
“We all must know our limitations–and must do our best to inform visitors of these dangers,” Bergosh added.
Escambia County offers the following information about rip currents:
Rip currents are the greatest danger to beach patrons and account for more than 80 percent of water rescues performed by surf rescue lifeguards. Rip currents cause more deaths each year than shark attacks do each decade. The best defense against drowning is knowing how to swim. Swimming in a pool is not the same as swimming at a surf beach with crashing waves, winds and dangerous currents. The conditions in the Gulf of Mexico can change very quickly, and you should be a strong swimmer before entering the water.
What is a Rip Current?
Rip currents are powerful channels of water that are caused by breaks in the sandbar just offshore. Currents flowing away from the coast move fastest where the sandbar is reduced or not present and the water is deeper. Always swim near a lifeguard and ask them where it is safest to swim. If lifeguards are not present, attempt to stay on the sandbars and avoid the area between sandbars where the water color is typically darker. Avoid swimming near piers and jetties where permanent rip currents are present.
How to Escape
If you become caught in a rip current, escape by swimming sideways to the direction the current is pulling you, or parallel to shore. If you cannot swim out of the rip or the current is too strong, go with the flow offshore and the rip current will weaken. Then, swim back to shore at an angle away from the rip current.
Photo Gallery: Lifeguards And Surfers On Pensacola Beach
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Man Charged With Twice Stealing From Sporting Goods Retailer, Returning Items For A Refund
April 10, 2023
A Jay man is accused of twice stealing merchandise from a Pensacola sporting goods store and then returning them for a refund.
Brooks Leon Wolfe, 39, was charged with two counts of retail petit theft and two felony counts of dealing in stolen property. He was released on a $15,000 bond.
On January 17, Wolfe entered Academy Sports and Outdoors on North Davis Highway empty handed, according to investigators. He then took a Gerber Strongarm knife worth $86.03 and a CenterPoint rifle scope valued at $59.97 off the shelves and took them to the customer service desk for a refund, his arrest report states. Since he did not have a receipt, he was given a card with a $146 store credit. Deputies said he provided his driver’s license to customer service in order to obtain the store credit.
On January 24, he returned to Academy Sports and took a Yeti cooler, deer camera and a knife valued at a total of $338.61 and again received store credit, investigators said. He later came back and made a purchase with the store credit of $187, for a total alleged theft of $525.61. Again, he had provided his driver’s license in order to receive the store credit.
Wolfe was arrested March 31 at a business on Longleaf Drive.
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry Cantonment Town Hall Is Today
April 10, 2023
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting on Monday, April 10 at 5 p.m.
This is an open forum event and residents of District 5 are invited and encouraged to attend. County staff will be in attendance to address any additional questions or concerns from residents.
The Langley Bell 4-H Center is located at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Pictured. Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry during a 2022 town hall meeting at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cloudy And Cooler Tonight; Rain By Thursday
April 10, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 73. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 74.