Ouida Louise Troutman McGill
October 23, 2024
Mrs. Ouida Louise Troutman McGill, age 88, passed away, Tuesday, October 22, 2024 in Atmore, AL, surrounded by her family. She was a native of Atmore, and a dedicated member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church with a bright spirit that reflected her love for life. She retired as a telephone operator for Southland Telephone Company with many years of service.
Mrs. McGill enjoyed tending to her yard, where her hard work showed in the beautiful lawn she maintained. Watching her sons and grandchildren play sports brought her great joy, and she cherished quiet moments with a good book and her favorite shows, Wheel of Fortune and Brenda Gannt Cooking. Known for her delicious cooking, she made the best cornbread, lima beans, pound cake, and biscuits, and she never missed a chance to prepare a special cake for her family’s birthdays. With her morning coffee in hand, she also loved cheering for Alabama football and softball. Above all, Mrs. McGill adored spending time with her family, embodying the warmth and charm of a true Southern lady.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl (Maggie Mason) Troutman; husband, Lowell Stephen McGill, Sr; two brothers, Fredrick “Shorty” Troutman and Leon Troutman; and three sisters, Margaret Lockwood, Mary Mayson and Doris Cooper.
She is survived by her three sons, Lowell Stephen “Steve” (Janet) McGill, Jr; of Atmore, AL; Mark (Suzanne) McGill, of Atmore, AL; Bryan Wade (Farrah) McGill, of Atmore, AL; six grandchildren, Whitney Maholovich, Jordan Jones, Amanda Strawbridge, Haden McGill, Rease McGill, Wade McGill; seven great-grandchildren, Grady Jones, Will Strawbridge, Corbin Strawbridge, Thatcher McGill, Molly Jones, Jase Maholovich, Norah McGill; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes with Rev. Tim Tew officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10 a.m. until service time at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes.
Pallbearers will be Rease McGill, Haden McGill, Will Strawbridge, Jacob Maholovich, Lewis Jones, and Marion Cooper.
Donnie Joe Victor
October 23, 2024
Donnie Joe Victor, age 68, of Byrneville, FL passed away on October 19, 2024 in Atmore, AL. He was born to K.P. Victor and Sarah Long Victor on October 25, 1955 in Atmore, AL and raised in Christian Home, McDavid, FL. Donnie was an Ernest Ward graduate and attended Holy Grown Holiness Church. He was a heavy equipment operator for Escambia County, AL and the City of Atmore for years prior to retiring. Donnie is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Kathy Hall, Alice Merchant and her husband, Steve and Faye Victor; his brothers, Jimmy Victor and Phillip Victor; his niece, Angel Hall and nephews, J.R. Victor and Tony Merchant.
Donnie is survived by his wife, Sandra White Victor; his sons, Donnie Jason Victor and James Brandon Victor; his sisters, Janie (Billy) Criswell and Londi (Ray) Himes; his brother, Johnny Victor; his grandchildren: Kymberlee, Emmalee, D.J., Chassity, Bubba, and Sadie along with his great grandchildren: Ashton, Ryder, Saige, Tyler, Ayla and Kayleana.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tim Floyd officiating. Interment will follow in Christian Home Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be John Fowler, Cody Fowler, PJ Thomas, Randall Morris, Ray Himes and Jerry Haskew.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 23, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help with funeral expenses.
Escambia, Perdido Rivers Dropping Closer To Historic Lows
October 22, 2024
Rivers in the North Escambia area are dropping closer to historic lows.
At Century, the Escambia River was at 2.8 feet and falling at 7 p.m. Monday; the all-time record low level was 1.30 feet in 1954. The Perdido River at Barrineau Park was at 1.05 feet Sunday night. Low water records for the Perdido River are not available.
During a 50-to-100-year drought in July 2011, the Escambia and Perdido rivers were at 2.9 and 1.3 feet, respectively.
With no rain forecast for at least the next week, both rivers are expected to continue to fall.
Pictured: The Escambia River at Century last Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Over 8,500 Vote Early Monday In Escambia County
October 22, 2024
Over 8,500 people took advantage of the first day of every voting in Escambia County.
There were 8,517 early votes cast across 10 early voting sites Monday, With 11,112 vote-by-mail ballots that have been returned, voter turnout is already 19,640 or 9.15% for the 2024 general election in Escambia County.
Of those votes, nearly 53% were Republican, 32% were Democratic and 13% were no party affiliation.
Early voting will continue through November 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day at 10 area locations:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, Molino
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N. Century Blvd, Century
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- University of West Florida, 11000 University Pkwy, Bldg. 78, Room 136, Pensacola
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Asbury Place at Cokesbury, 750 College Blvd, Pensacola
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, Pensacola
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street, Pensacola
Voters may choose any one of the 10 locations, each of which is also equipped with a ballot marking device.
During the 2024 primary election, a total of 13,265 early votes were cast.
Jim Allen Elementary Accelerated Readers ‘Silly String’ Teachers
October 22, 2024
Jim Allen Elementary School students when met their Accelerated Reader (AR) goals were able to “Silly String” a teacher recently. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Motorcyclist Killed in Santa Rosa County Crash
October 22, 2024
A 48-year-old Escambia County motorcyclist was killed in a two vehicle crash Monday evening in Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 16-year-old male driver from Pace was traveling east in a Chevrolet Malibu on Berryhill Road approaching Gardenview Road when he made a left turn into path of Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by the Pensacola man.
The motorcyclist. who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the 6:26 p.m. crash. The teen driver was not injured.
Troopers are continuing their investigation.
File photo.
Obreonne Parker Named Northview High School Teacher of The Year
October 22, 2024
Obreonne Parker was recently named the Northview High School Teacher of the Year.
Parker has been at Northview for 21 years. She now teaches ESE and is the OJT coordinator for ESE students. She has also served as the athletic director for Northview High School since 2017.
Parker is loved by her students and colleagues. Her hard work and care are evident in the positive environment that she creates for her students. When asked to reflect on her teaching career, she said, “Stay positive, love the kids, and continue to work hard because it pays off.”
She will now be in the running for the Escambia County Teacher of the Year, to be announced later this school year.
Warm Days And Cool Night; No Chance Of Rain
October 22, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
NRCS Florida Accepts EQIP, CSP Applications through November 1
October 22, 2024
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida announces Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025) federal assistance opportunities for agricultural producers, including through the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, Florida producers and landowners should apply no later than November 1, 2024, to be considered for funding in the FY2025 current cycle. If applications are received after the signup period for FY2025, applications will automatically be considered during future funding cycles.
Application cutoff periods allow NRCS to screen-and-rank applications for those with the highest
conservation benefits across Florida’s landscapes, including cropland, grazing lands, and private non-industrial forestlands. Contract obligations for the highest ranked applications is scheduled for end of June 2025.
EQIP can help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands. It provides financial and technical assistance to address natural resource concerns. Benefits include conserving water; enhancing wildlife habitat; improving air, soil and water quality; mitigating impacts from climate change; and preventing soil erosion. The CSP is for working lands and is the largest conservation program in the country. Thousands of
people voluntarily enroll in the program, because it helps them enhance natural resources and improve their business operation. Landowners can earn CSP payments for conservation performance.
Applications in Escambia County are accepted at the Molino Service Center at 151 Highway 97. Contact Josh Mcelhaney at josh.mcelhaney@usda.gov or visit the Get Started With NRCS website.
FDLE Arrests Two Escambia Men On Multiple Child Sex Crime Charges
October 22, 2024
Two Escambia County men were arrested on child sex crime charges by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Mason Nicholas Radford, 21, was charged with
- three counts of using a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a minor
- two counts of transmitting obscene material to a minor
- three counts of promoting the sexual performance of a child, and
- three counts of use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Ryan Stephen Traynor, 52, was charged with one count each of using a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a minor and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
FDLE said Pensacola Cyber Squad agents were contacted by the suspects during two separate undercover operations during which agents played the roles of 14-year-old girls. Both suspects sent sexual solicitation messages to the “girls” after being told that they were communicating with a juvenile.
Both men were booked into the Escambia County Jail. Radford remained jailed with bond set at $475.0000. Traynor was released on a $50,000 bond.