Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
September 29, 2023
Ransom Middle School has named their Students of the Month for August. They are Kylee Middleton and Demarcus Anderson, both eighth graders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jimmy Lee Raines
September 29, 2023
was born in Century, FL but lived in Atmore until 1980. He spent his lifetime living in the Flomaton area where he was a truck driver for over 20 years. He worked for Campbell’s Sand and Gravel, G.B. “Boots” Smith Oilfield Services, and Howell Transportation whose name was later changed to Genesis Crude Oil. He had many good times working with his friends and talking on the CB radio with his call sign being “Iceman”. He left Genesis Crude Oil to work for McKenzie Tank Lines in Pensacola, FL where he managed the sulfur substation near Atmore until its closure. He retired from Covington Heavy Duty Diesel Parts in Pensacola in 2009.
He was a very talented man doing whatever he put his mind to. He was an accomplished craftsman, working with wood, building additions to his home, furniture and gunstocks. He was especially proud of his knife handles. He was a talented artist, and self-taught karate martial arts.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Ruby Crawford Raines; his brothers, Walter H. Raines, II and Jesse Harold Raines.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan Neal Raines of Flomaton, AL; his son, Brian Raines (Dawn Watson) of Flomaton, AL; his daughter, Melissa (Jeffrey) Coleman of Flomaton, AL; his brother, Joseph C. Raines of Atmore, AL; his sister, Barbara (Charles “Skip”) Beasley of Castleberry, AL; his grandchildren, Ruby Raines and Lily Coleman both of Flomaton, AL; Kenzie Dall and Kason Dall both of Pace, FL; grandchildren in love, Johnny Ray Heathcock, Jazymn Heathcock, Jayla Heathcock all of Pace, FL; special niece, Skyler Wallace of Mobile, AL; special nephew, Tim Neal of Flomaton, AL; aunt, Bessie Brantley of Atmore, AL; numerous, much loved other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 2, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel with Bro. Pat Carden officiating. Interment will follow in Canoe Freewill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Tim Neal, Reuben Neal, Stevie Powell, John Walker, Jessie Blair, and Jason Dall.
Honorary pallbearers will be Brandon Chambers, Daniel Morris and Jeffrey Coleman. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel.
We wish to thank Southern Care Hospice of Atmore for their wonderful care and extreme compassion that they showed to us. These ladies are magnificent and were a blessing to us. We wish a heartfelt thanks especially to Ms. Donna. She is amazing and was a tremendous God send to us with her knowledge, strength and love.
Willie Jean Harden
September 29, 2023
Willie Jean Harden resident of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on September 28, 2023, at the age of 87.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Escambia County Motorcyclist Killed In Late Wednesday Crash
September 28, 2023
A 41-year old motorcyclist from Escambia County was killed in crash late Wednesday night.
The crash happened about 11:25 p.m. on Gulf Beach Highway at Plateau Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an 81-year old Lillian, Alabama, woman was driving her Ford F150 south on Plateau Road when she failed to yield to oncoming traffic. Troopers said she attempted to make a turn onto Gulf Beach Highway and collided with the front of the motorcycle.
The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County paramedics.
File photo.
Gomez, Cunningham Elected By Default, No One Else Qualifies For Century Mayor, Council
September 28, 2023
The interim mayor and an interim council member will keep their seats because no one else qualified for a special election.
Luis Gomez, Jr. was elected as the only candidate for the office of mayor, and Henry Cunningham was elected for town council without opposition.
Gomez was recently appointed interim mayor after the resignation of Ben Boutwell, and Cunningham was appointed on an interim basis to the council seat vacated by Gomez.
Wednesday was the final day of a qualification week the town council shortened to just three days.
The special election was set for November 1 with the oaths of office 10 days later on November 11. It was not immediately clear if Gomez and Cunningham will be sworn in November 11 or sooner. In the meantime, they will continue to hold their interim seats.
Pictured top: Luis Gomez, Jr. (left) and Henry Cunningham. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Armed And Dangerous’ Suspect Wanted For Burglaries In Walnut Hill, Atmore Now Behind Bars
September 28, 2023
Asuspect described by authorities as “armed and dangerous” is now behind bars. He was wanted in connection with burglaries in Walnut Hill and Atmore.
Mario Dewayne Mendez, 46, was booked into the Baldwin County Jail Wednesday on Bay Minette Police Department charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, attempting to elude a police officer, criminal trespass third degree, and criminal mischief third degree. He was held without bond due to outstanding warrants from Escambia County, Florida, and Escambia County, Alabama.
Mendez was wanted for a September 5 burglary on Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill where a golf cart, tools, camera accessories and other items were stolen, according to the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators believe Mendez is also responsible for multiple thefts in Atmore where a pistol and rifle were stolen.
“Various Items from weapons and other property have been stolen,” APD said. “Mendez is presumed to be armed and dangerous due to the items stolen from various properties.”
Image page top and first image below from a Walnut Hill burglary courtesy of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Bottom two images courtesy Atmore Police Department for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ReImagine Cantonment Returning In October With Free Food, Clothing And More
September 28, 2023
The ReImagine Cantonment outreach will return next month.
The event will be held Saturday, October 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Carver Park in Cantonment.
The faith-based event will include a 20,000 pound food giveaway, lunch, fishing lessons with free fishing rods, free tablets, baby diapers, HIV testing, clothing, free laundry detergent and more. Absolutely everything is free. There will also be free children’s activities, including train rides, inflatables, face painting, games, popcorn, and a coloring contest with three participants winning a new bicycle.
ReImagine Cantonment is a project of Doers of the Word Ministry and is sponsored by numerous churches and other organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sewing Club Presents Bibs To Escambia Westgate For Pre-K Students
September 28, 2023
The Caring Hearts Sewing Club presented 16 bibs to Jennifer Kozell’s Pre-K class at Escambia Westgate on Wednesday.
The Caring Hearts Sewing Club falls under the Council on Aging umbrella. Group members sew and crochet items for people and organizations in the community using donated supplies.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Low Tonight In The Mid 60s
September 28, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 62. East wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 61.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Tate Aggies Fans Asked To Black Out The Panthers; Free Student Pregame Tailgate Party And Shirts
September 28, 2023
The Tate High Aggies are asking fans to black out the stands Friday night as they host a district game against Milton.
There will be a tailgate event in the school courtyard at 5 p.m. Friday with free tailgate party food and drinks provided by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church. The church will also provide free blackout shirts to the first 250 students who attend.