Clear Skies And Colder Tonight
January 19, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Partly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 57. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 50. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 62. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Ribbon Is Cut To Reopen The Newly Rebuilt Ascend Community Park
January 19, 2023
After a brief rain delay, the ribbon was cut Wednesday morning to reopen the renovated Ascend Community Park.
Ascend Performance Materials CEO Phil McDivitt was on hand to offer remarks and congratulate the teams from Ascend and Turner Industries who led the effort to restore the park after extensive damage from Hurricane Sally.
“Parks are about family,” said McDivitt. “For 70 years, our Pensacola site has employed fathers and mothers, their children and now grandchildren in this community, so Ascend is also about family. We’re happy to be able to welcome the community and their families to the park once again.”
The park, located at 3098 Old Chemstrand Road in Cantonment, is now open from sunrise to sunset daily.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Pictured top: Ascend employee Chuck Langham, who managed much of the renovation work, cuts the ribbon to reopen the Ascend Neighborhood Park. Pictured first below: The first visitor to the park Wednesday enjoys the slide. Picture second below: Ascend Performance Materials CEO Phil McDivitt makes remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pictured bottom: Employees from Ascend Performance Materials and Turner Industries celebrate the reopening of the Ascend Neighborhood Park. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Arbor Day Tree Giveaways Friday In Century, Saturday In Molino, Pensacola
January 19, 2023
Florida Arbor Day tree giveaways will be held Friday in Century and Saturday in Molino and Pensacola.
Century – Friday
The Florida Forest Service and the Town of Century will hold a tree giveaway for Florida residents beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at the community center on West Highway 4 at Industrial Boulevard. Trees available will include live oak, red maple, mayhaw, red cedar or dahoon holly. There is a limit of two trees per person while supplies last.
Molino, Pensacola – Saturday
Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, there will be a tree giveaway at the Molino, Bellview and Tryon branches of the West Florida Regional Libraries. Species available include live oak, dahoon holly, mayhaw, and Walter’s viburnum. There is a limit of two trees per household while supplies last.
Poarch Creek Tribal Police Chief Mike Reynolds Passes Away
January 19, 2023
Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Police Chiefs Mike Reynolds passed away unexpectedly Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. He was 59.
“Mike worked tirelessly to ensure our public safety while forging deep connections with countless Tribal members and our neighbors. His loss will be felt deeply by many,” Tribal Chair and CEO Stephanie Bryan said. “Our deepest condolences and prayers are with Mike’s family and his many law enforcement colleagues.”
Mike became the Poarch Creek chief of police in 2016 after a 35-plus year career in law enforcement in Mobile County and for the city of Chickasaw in Alabama.
Escambia’s Teacher Of The Year Is Angela McFarland Of WFHS
January 19, 2023
Angela McFarland of West Florida High School has been named the Escambia County Public Schools Teacher of the Year.
McFarland joined the district in 1996 as a Pine Forest High business teacher. After spending four years in the same position at Washington High, McFarland was hired as a business and multimedia teacher at WFHS in 2009. She has also taught with the Escambia Virtual Academy since 2020.
“Mrs. McFarland’s contributions to Escambia County Public Schools epitomize the dedication, flexibility and innovation so necessary to prepare our students for a successful and meaningful future. She is truly an invaluable asset to her students, her school and this community as a whole,” said Superintendent Tim Smith.
She will now represent Escambia County in the state Teacher of the Year competition.
NorthEscambia.com is continuing to spotlight Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area during January.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Gets Nearly 21 Years For Murdering His Half-Sister, Burying Her Body Near Jay
January 19, 2023
A man has been sentenced to nearly 21 years in prison for murdering his half-sister five years ago before burying her body outside Jay.
Jerry Savoy Phillips Jr., 31, pleaded no contest to second degree premeditated murder with a firearm for the death of his half-sister, 38-year old Felicia Kuswandy. He was sentenced to 249.45 months in state prison.
Kuswandy’s remains were found buried behind a home in the 7700 block of Highway 4 east of Jay on December 14, 2018. The murder was believed to have occurred on or about November 12, 2017.
Phillips was jailed in Alabama on drug trafficking charges until late October 2020, at which time he was formally charged with his half-sister’s death in Florida.
Flomaton Police Arrest Harassment, Trespassing Suspect
January 19, 2023
The Flomaton Police Department arrested a suspect this week that had been wanted since an incident on December 20.
Jeremy Alan Crapps was wanted for trespassing first degree and harassment.
Police Chief Johnny Wilson said Crapps entered the yard of an abandoned house on Ringold Street that was posted no trespassing.
The homeowner told police they exchanged words, leading to the harassment charge, Wilson said. The homeowner never saw Crapps enter the house.
Crapps was issued a notice to appear when he was arrested on Martin Luther King Drive in Flomaton.
Stan Shimmin
January 19, 2023
Stan Shimmin, age 77 of Pensacola, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on January 16, 2023. Stan spent his career in ministry as an illustrator with Abeka and as an art instructor at Pensacola Christian College. His works of art and calligraphy glorified his Savior and brought joy to his friends and family. His grandchildren were the highlight of his life and they will always remember playing with Grumpa. He loved landscaping, hiking with family, and woodworking. He was especially known for his handcrafted walking sticks.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dee Shimmin, his father, Paul Shimmin, and his mother Faye Shimmin. He is survived by his four children, Raylene Cochran (Scott), Randi Jones (Michael), Marty Shimmin (Valerie), and Meggan Grosnick (Erik); grandchildren, Kenneth Cochran, Justin Jones, Lauren Cochran, Camden Jones, Gavin Jones, Carstan Cochran, Jaden Shimmin, Gabriel Shimmin, Samantha Grosnick, Elaina Shimmin, Logan Shimmin, Addisyn Grosnick, Taylen Grosnick; great grandchildren, Lilly Jones, Ezzeriah Jones; sisters, Paula Shimmin, Fern Shimmin, Verna Atkinson (Robert), and Rita Shown (Rod).
A private interment ceremony will be held for family.
Althea Pauline Eicher Dyck
January 19, 2023
Althea Pauline Eicher Dyck was the fourth child born to Leland and Hannah Johnson Eicher on
January 10, 1927, in rural Gratiot County, Michigan. She passed away at the Oakwood Retirement
Community in Brooksville, Mississippi on January 17, 2023, just a week after her ninety-sixth
birthday.
She started school in Michigan, then moved with her family at age eight to Summerdale, Alabama
where she finished her formal elementary education. She felt the call to salvation and on confession
of faith was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. She was faithful to her vows
until the end. On April 16, 1950, she was united in marriage to Ben Dyck at Walnut Hill, Florida.
They made their home in Hesston, Kansas where they farmed for an occupation. In August of 1957,
they moved to Walnut Hill, Florida where they took up pioneer farming and then became involved
in dairying. Mom enjoyed teaching Bible School in the summer and volunteering as a “Pink Lady”
at the local hospital and nursing home. She also enjoyed the church sewing circle and being on the
food committee. She loved the art of quilting, and we remember her giving many quilts away to
family and friends.
Mom and Dad were blessed with three sons and two daughters. In 1996, our dad was diagnosed
with a brain tumor and soon passed away, leaving mom lonely. However, she was so grateful she
could live together with her daughter Shirley for many years. Through the trials of her later life the
Bible story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment was so special to mom. She
expressed that she felt the need to reach out and touch Him many times. She moved to the
Oakwood Retirement Community in June of 2020. Her serenity in facing the challenges of her
failing health and limited independence was an inspiration to many. She appreciated the friendship,
love, and care of the Oakwood family.
Left to cherish loving memories are her children: Judy and Terry Harms of Murray, Kentucky;
Carl and Becky Dyck of Bowersville, Georgia; Shirley Dyck of Bowersville, Georgia; Waldo and
Janalie Dyck of Lakeville, Ohio; thirteen grandchildren, thirty-nine great grandchildren, and one
great great grandchild; special friends: Henry and Polly Hiebert and family of Molino, Florida;
Phil and Sondra Giesbrecht and family of Macon, Mississippi; two sisters: Eunice Smith and Imo
and Wilbert Peters both of Brooksville, Mississippi; three brothers: William and Lois Eicher,
Wallace and Judy Eicher, and Wendell and Mary Eicher, all of Walnut Hill, Florida; sisters-in-law:
Dolly Eicher of Brooksville, Mississippi and Loretta Dyck of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; one brother-in-
law Bob Mininger of Moundridge, Kansas. She was predeceased by her husband Ben; one son,
Michael Dyck; one grandson, Justin Dyck; one great-granddaughter, Betsy Dyck; two brothers,
two sisters, five sisters-in-law, and seven brothers-in-law.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite
Church with Minister Brian Decker, Minister Joseph Dyck and Minister Jamie Wedel officiating.
Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Arlen Penner, Ben Lehman, Chelson Dyck, Tye Jantz, Turi Rodriques,
Sheldon Toews, Henry Hiebert, Nolan Koehn, Arlin Koehn, Mike Dyck and Jevan Dyck.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 20, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill
Mennonite Church.
David Dale Kalb
January 19, 2023
age 66, passed away on January 15, 2023 at his residence. He was born on November 1,1956 in Cleveland, Ohio to David Francis and Bonnie Lou Kalb. He was married to Natalie Kalb for 48 years. He had a career in the military for 20 years. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church and had a passion for children’s ministry.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David Francis and Bonnie Lou Kalb; brother, Michael Anthony Kalb.
He is survived by his wife, Natalie Kalb; sons, Michael A. (Danette)Kalb, David J. Rachel) Kalb; grandchildren Jacob (Meaghan) Kalb, Natalie Kalb, McKayla Kalb, Levi Kalb, Joseph Kalb, Isabella Kalb; sister, Jackie (Donald) Joseph; brother, Larry (Maribeth) Kalb.
Memorial service will be Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 11:00am at Hillcrest Baptist Church. Fellowship will follow at 12:00pm in the Heritage Hall.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.