Peggy Louise Norton
November 8, 2023
Annie Arleene Howell
November 8, 2023
Annie Arleene Howell, a 1966 graduate of Tate High School went to join her mom, dad, brother, and two sisters in Heaven on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. “Miss Annie”, as many called her, was a former paper worker for both St. Regis and Stone Container. Unable to settle into retirement, Miss Annie became a bus assistant for the Escambia County School District in 2017. She found her greatest enjoyment through being a bus assistant. She loved being with the special needs children on the bus. They all called her “granny”.
When Miss Annie was not working, she was spending time with her daughter sewing or playing jokes with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed an occasional trip to the Casino with Debbie, Susie, or Sandra. “But don’t tell Darlene”.
Miss Annie’s family would like to thank all the transportation family, Vitas Health Care for loving on mom and keeping her comfortable.
Annie is preceded in death by her parents, Annie Godwin and Farrell Alton Howell; brother, Alex Eugene Howell; and two sisters, Pam Howell and Althea Godwin.
She is survived by her daughter, Darlene Hart (Dan), granddaughters, Brandy Hart (Chris), Savannah Dees (Colby); grandsons, Jon’Micheal Hart (Savannah), Dan Hart (Victoria); great-granddaughters, Emma, Skye, Clara Jane and Randi Jo; great-grandsons, Dru, Blake, and Westin; and sister-in-law, Sandra Howell.
Pallbearers include Colby Dees, Dan Hart, Chris Griener, Josh Howell, Jon’Micheal Hart, Levi Howell, and Hunter Howell.
Honorary pallbearers include Guy Howell, Richard Howell, Rex Howell, Kenney Howell, Walter Howell, and Charlie Howell.
Services for Annie Arleene Howell will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, Friday, November 10, 2023. Visitation services will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Annie will be laid to rest at Pughs Chapel Cemetery.
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 Annie Arleene Howell please visit our Sympathy Store.
Warm And Dry Today; Rain Possible Later This Week
November 7, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Areas of dense fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the morning.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 76. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Veterans Day: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 59. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
May Passes BOCC Gavel To Barry
November 7, 2023
At an Escambia County Board of County Commissioners Meeting last week, the board reorganized to appoint a new chairman and vice chairman, with District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry serving as the new chairman and District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender as the vice chairman for the coming year.
“It is an honor to serve the citizens of Escambia County and represent District 5 as the chairman for a third year,” said Commissioner Barry. “I want to thank my colleague and dear friend Lumon May for his outstanding leadership as our previous chairman. We have made some great strides under his direction and I intend to continue that momentum to move Escambia County forward. I want to thank my l ovely wife, Ellen, for her continued support during my time as District 5 Commissioner and especially now as I begin my time as chairman. Lastly, I want to thank my counterparts on the board for the commitment they have shown to our citizens. It is an honor and a privilege to be a public servant in the community you grew up in and love, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I look forward to another strong year and I’m excited to see what else we can accomplish for Escambia County.”
District 3 Commissioner Lumon May previously served as the chairman. Commissioner Barry was vice chair prior to his appointment as chair. “It’s been a blessing to serve as chairman for the Board of County Commissioners representing the citizens of Escambia County,” said May. “I want to thank God and my family for allowing me the opportunity to serve, and my colleagues on the board for their support. I look forward to working with my dear friend Steven Barry as he assumes the chairmanship for the next year. We’ve accomplished great things in the last year with new policies, procedures, and efficiencies, and have worked hard to better Escambia County for all of our citizens. I’m excited for another year of great leadership under Commissioner Barry to see what more we can do together for our community.”
Tate High Names Students Of The Month
November 7, 2023
Tate High School has named their Students of the Month for September. They are Olivea Latner and Joseph Yasurek. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets Two Life Terms Plus 35 Years For Sexual Battery Of A Minor
November 7, 2023
An Escambia County man is charged with 1,200 total counts of sexually assault and incest charged involving a minor has been sentenced to life plus 35 years in prison.
Robert Cota, 31, was charged with 600 counts of sexual assault on a victim age 12 to 18, and 600 counts of incest for incidents that reportedly took place over the last six years.
During the trial, it was revealed that Robert Cota had been sexually abusing a minor child for a period of three years. The abuse started when the victim was 11 years old and continued until they were 14 years old. When law enforcement made contact with the victim, they found that the victim also had extensive bruising, scars, and marks from months of physical abuse at the hands of Robert Cota. At the trial, Robert Cota admitted to hitting the victim with belts, cords, and automobile parts.
““This defendant perpetrated some of the most heinous acts against a vulnerable child. This sentence ensures that Robert Cota will not be a danger to anyone else and provides some much needed closure to the victim and their family,” prosecutor Carrie Gilmer stated.
An arrest report states a local pastor told deputies that Cota approached him and said he “had issues with one of the beliefs” in the church guideline book. He then specifically pointed to the word “incest”.
As the conversation continued, the pastor told Cota that what he was doing was not right, and that he needed to report himself to the authorities. The pastor later provided Cota’s information to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The report states the victim said the sexual encounters with Cota had been happening since she was 7-years old. She added Cota told her these acts were how to show affection.
When Cota was arrested on unrelated charges last September, the report states the mother said she recently learned of Cota and the victim having a sexual relationship. According to the report, Cota became angry and pointed a gun at the victim multiple times. Cota was arrested for aggravated assault domestic violence as authorities began investigating the sexual assault and incest allegations.
The report states that during the September incident, the victim and Cota both told the mother of the sexual relationship before taking back their statements.
According to the report, when deputies went to arrest Cota for sexual assault and incest, he said he was not surprised of the accusations.
Business As Usual: Century Council Does Not Discuss State Senator’s Suggestion Of Unincorportation Or County Takeover
November 7, 2023
In the first town council meeting since a state senator publicly floated the idea of unincorporating the Town of Century due to their finances, the town council did not directly discuss the issue Tuesday night and went about business as usual.
Sen. Doug Broxson’s comments came during a meeting last month of the Escambia County Legislative Delegation — Sen. Doug Broxson, State Rep. Alex Andrade and State Rep. Michelle Salzman — in Pensacola. Gomez had addressed the delegation, thanking them for millions in state funding that has gone to projects in Century, including a bridge replacement, wastewater treatment plant repairs and repairs to a failed water well serving the state prison.
I’ve been dealing with Century for 14 years,” Broxson told Gomez. “I know you’ve had tremendous challenges there. Your tax base is very low, and your needs are very great. I can tell you this delegation has doubled down on trying to help Century.”
Broxson is chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
In 2019, a grand jury found the town was in a “state of financial emergency” and failed to prepare and approve budgets that were “realistic or financially solvent.”
“We are praying for you, we know you have a big challenge, we want you to do well,” Broxson continued. “But we know you are in tough circumstances. I would hope that at some point if things continue where it’s a challenge to meet your budget, that you would consider de-chartering Century so you could come under the umbrella of Escambia County and let them take their resources and help you with some of your major problems. I’ve watched it, “I know you’ve tried, but we really need a bigger hand to help you get to where you need to be.
Tuesday night, the Century Council held no direct discussion on any potential unincorporation or future finances.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Rotary Presents Culinary Scholarships
November 7, 2023
In addition to the $40,000 of scholarships presented to Pensacola State College recipients earlier this year, Cantonment Rotary awarded two $500 Culinary Arts Scholarships to students in that program. These Annual Scholarships awards are presented at the Annual Cantonment Rotary Culinary Arts Luncheon held at the Molly McGuire venue at the PSC Campus. For this year’s luncheon students in the program, under the watchful eye of Culinary and Professional Service Careers Coordinator and Instructor, Head Chef Jimmie
Langham prepared and served the German-Themed culinary offering to the Cantonment Rotarians and their guests.
Receiving $500 scholarships were Ella Thompson and Rayshawn Stalling. Both are pursuing degrees in Culinary Management.
Pictured (L-R): Cantonment Rotary Club President, Dustin Vaughn, scholarship recipient Rayshawn J. Stallings, scholarship recipient Ella Thompson, PSC Director of Foundation Scholarships, Mikenzie Francis-Opperman, and Cantonment Rotary Club Foundation Chair, Ray Ascherfeld. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bobby Guy King
November 6, 2023
Bobby Guy King was born January 9, 1980. Bobby passed into eternity at the age of 42. Bobby is preceded in death by his mama, Benita Kay Holder King, his cousin, Chad Williamson, his maternal grandparents, Harold & Audrey Holder, and his paternal grandparents, James and Ruby King. Bobby is survived by his maternal family: aunts and uncles, Deborah Andrews, Teresa & Ronnie Williamson, Belinda & David Perry, cousins, Melissa, Tim, Joni, Marissa, Austin, and Moriah. His paternal family members: father, Guy King, aunts and uncles, Larry & Mary Jane King, Frankie Archer, Marie Faircloth, Merlene Bruce, cousins, Christa, Kaye, Keith, Kim, Danna, Johnny and Michael.
After the passing of his mama when he was 8 years old, Bobby was raised by his Granny and Paw Paw Holder and was more like a son than a grandchild to them. Bobby grew up in Molino, Florida, attended Molino Elementary, Barrineau Park Elementary, Ransom Middle School and Tate High School. He was always adventurous and loved spending time fishing and hunting with his PawPaw. Bobby was very attentive to his Granny in her last months of life. His life was filled with many hard times but he always knew he was loved by his family.
Bobby accepted Jesus as his Savior and was a member of Highland Baptist Church. We have comfort knowing Bobby is in the presence of Jesus for eternity and has peace greater than we can imagine.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-29
A graveside service was held on November 4, 2023 at Highland Baptist Church with family friend, Rev. Brian Calhoun officiating.
In memory of Bobby, donations can be made to provide Bibles to those who are incarcerated at www.prisionfellowship.org or you can call 1-703-554-8450 to allocate your donation to go to Bibles for those incarcerated as well as request a letter indicating the donation is in memory of Bobby.
Northview FFA Alumni Named The Nation’s Number One Alumni Chapter
November 6, 2023
The Northview High School FFA Alumni Chapter was named the National Outstanding FFA Alumni & Supporters Chapter during the National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana
After being named as a top five finalist on the state level earlier this year, their application was eligible to advance to the national level, was named as a national finalist earlier this fall, and later named as the overall national winner on November 2 at the 96th National FFA Convention.