Cold Advisory: Freezing Again Tuesday Night
January 7, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Widespread frost after 8pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Widespread frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 48. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Widespread frost, mainly after 8pm. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 24. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Widespread frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 48. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Light northeast wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph after midnight.
Friday: Rain likely before 9am, then showers, mainly after 9am. High near 53. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 33. East wind around 10 mph becoming northwest in the evening.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50.
Man, 19, Charged With Murder Last Week Near Pine Meadow Elementary
January 7, 2025
A 19-year-old Escambia County man has been charged with the shooting death of a man late last Wednesday night not far from Pine Meadow Elementary School.
Talan Darby Burnette is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond on charges of second-degree murder, tampering with evidence and firing a weapon.
The shooting happened about 11:45 p.m. January 1 outside a home on Tommy Street, just off Cove Avenue. The man was transported to any area hospital where he later died.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he arrived at the property and an argument followed between a group of people. Investigators said Burnette then shot the 48-year-old man.
Burnette was located the following morning in Santa Rosa County, and he was charged with loitering and resisting arrest by Santa Rosa County deputies. Escambia County deputies questioned him in Santa Rosa County and obtained Escambia County warrants for his arrest. He was transferred to the Escambia County Jail on Monday.
DeSantis Appoints Five To UWF Board Of Trustees
January 7, 2025
Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced five appointments to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees.
None of them are UWF alumni, and none of them live in the Pensacola area.
The nominees, who must be confirmed by the Florida Senate, are:
Paul Bailey
Bailey is an Attorney for Welton Law Firm. Active in his community, he currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Pensacola Christian College and is a Registered Instructor with the National Rifle Association. Bailey earned his bachelor’s degree in pre-law from Pensacola Christian College and his juris doctor from Regent University.
Gates Garcia
Garcia is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Pinehill Capital Partners. Active in his community, he currently serves on The Catholic University of America Busch School of Business Board of Visitors and was the recipient of the 2024 Richard and Jacqueline Lincoln Fellow for The Claremont Institute. Garcia earned his bachelor’s degree in media studies from The Catholic University of America and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.
Adam Kissel
Kissel is a Visiting Fellow on Higher Education Reform for The Heritage Foundation, a Senior Fellow for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, and a Visiting Scholar for the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs with the United States Department of Education. Active in his community, he currently serves as the Chair of the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board and is a member of the Civics, History, & America’s Future Advisory Council for America250. Kissel earned his bachelor’s degree in English, American literature, and language from Harvard University and his master’s degree from the University of Chicago.
Scott Yenor, Ph.D.
Yenor is the Chairman of The Ambrose School Board, a Professor of Political Science at Boise State University, an Honored Visiting Graduate Faculty at Ashland University, and a Washington Fellow at The Claremont Institute’s Center for the American Way of Life. His research focuses on feminism, sexual liberation, and on dismantling the rule of social justice in America’s universities. He previously served as a Visiting Fellow on American Political Thought for The Heritage Foundation and a Fellow for the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. Yenor earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and his doctorate degree in political science from Loyola University.
Chris Young
Young is a founder and Senior Partner at Perry & Young Law Firm, Chief Operating Officer for Adcock Bros, Inc. and is owner and President of Adcock Transport and Adcock Direct. Active in his community he has served the Chipola Appreciation Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the ARC of the Bay. He currently serves on the Ascension Bay Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors and is active in other local charities and civic groups. Young earned his associate degree from Chipola College and his Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University.
Florida Bureau Of Fire And Arson Now Investigating Cause Of Church Fire In Molino
January 7, 2025
The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson & Explosives Investigations is now investigating the cause of a Sunday afternoon fire that heavily damaged a church in Molino.
The fire was reported shortly after 3 p.m. at the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in the 5600 block of Highway 95A, just north of Cedartown Road. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the rear of the single-story wood-framed church.
There were injuries.
A portion of the building’s roof collapsed in the fire. Escambia County Fire Rescue says there was moderate smoke damage throughout the building, while fire damage was limited to the back. ECFR said the building can be reoccupied after extensive repairs.
For an earlier story, click here.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Molino, Cantonment, Ensley, McDavid, Osceola, Century, and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded as did a ladder truck from Pace, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Frances Marie Pate
January 7, 2025
Frances Marie Pate, 84, of Robertsdale, AL passed away December 23, 2024.
She was born March 4, 1940, in Pensacola, FL to Charley and Adelia Smith.
Frances graduated from Tate High School, then went on to work for the Escambia County School Board, as a bus driver until she retired. She attended 3 Rivers Church in Seminole, AL.
She is preceded in death by husband, WH Pate; daughters, Jewell Lee Fretwell, Vickie Lynn Fretwell, and Pamlar Jean Perez; sister, Charolette Salzar.
Frances is survived by daughters, Frances Lavell Watson, Laura Ann Carter, and Susan Elaine Fretwell; sisters, Debra Paulk Castler, Glenda Ruston, and Patricia Pudsey.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. January 13, 2024, at Whitmire Cemetery. The reception will follow at 3 Rivers Church in Seminole, AL immediately after.
The family would like to give a special thanks to her niece, Tracy Colasono; for helping take care of her while she was homebound. She had a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren she left behind.
James Earl Sermons
January 7, 2025
James Earl Sermons, known as “Jim” to his family and friends, was born on July 30, 1942. He passed away peacefully at his home on January 4, 2025, after a brief battle with renal cancer. Jim was a graduate of Tate High School. He was a member of Celebration Church of Saraland. Jim was an entrepreneur, with an eye for detail which he used to remodel and restore homes. Jim enjoyed visiting the beaches of Mississippi and mountains of Tennessee.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John William and Nellie Katherine Summerlin Sermons; his brothers, Gerald Sermons and Donald Sermons; his best friend and brother-in-law, Robert Edwin Miller.
He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Sermons, of 39 years. Together, they share a daughter, Victoria Sermons Buford (Jonathan) of Prattville, AL and grandson, Deacon Buford. “Pawpaw” and Deacon share the sweetest bond. Jim is also survived by two other children, Damon Andrew and Ivy Burleson; his sister, Margaret Miller as well as several other grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at noon at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Wesley Hall officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Active pallbearers will be Terry Miller, Billy Miller, Wayne Faircloth, Bryon Cook, Josh Hall, Keith Morgan, Terry Pritchett, Gary Bryan, and Carl Warren.
Honorary pallbearers will be Don Bovee, Vincent Glozier, Robert Talmadge and Jerry Mason.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until service time of noon at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Paul N. Yoder
January 7, 2025
Paul N. Yoder, age 79, of Atmore, AL passed away on January 5, 2025. He was born on September 23, 1945, in Dundee, OH to Noah and Ida Miller Yoder. Paul was an avid collector of old things and loved Braves baseball and Alabama football.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roman Yoder.
Paul is survived by his siblings, John (Brenda) Yoder, Miriam Classen, Barbara (James) Ward and numerous family and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jimmy Kyle officiating.
Active pallbearers were Mike Beachy, Kevin Classen, Jamison Ward, Kenny Rolin and Andrew Ward.
Donald Ray Jackson
January 7, 2025
Donald Ray Jackson, age 58, of Walnut Hill, FL passed away on January 2, 2025, at his residence. He was born on February 15, 1966, in Atmore, AL. He was a truck driver most of his life and loved watching football. He is preceded in death by his step-father, Eddie Wayne Boggs.
Donald is survived by his mother, Corine Thomas Boggs; his siblings, Susan Boggs of Hartselle, AL, Sarah (Marti) Pearson of Hartselle, AL, Clara (P.J.) Thomas of Walnut Hill, FL, Carrie Ellingsworth of OR and Gail Ellingsworth of OR; numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Pine Barren Baptist Church with Bro. Don Sanks officiating.
Interment was in Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were P.J. Thomas, Joshua Muse, Joseph Muse, Matthew Boggs, Chris Roberts, and Barry Montgomery.
Mayor, Two Council Members To Take The Oath Of Office Tuesday In Century
January 6, 2025
Century’s mayor and two council members will take the oath of office Tuesday for another four years.
Luis Gomez, Jr. will remain mayor, while Dynette Lewis (seat 1) and Henry Cunningham (seat 2) will serve another term. Each was elected last year with no challenger.
Gomez was appointed interim mayor after the resignation of Ben Boutwell, and Cunningham was appointed on an interim basis to the council seat vacated by Gomez. Both won the seats by default in 2023 when no one else ran in 2023. Lewis, who currently serves as council president, was elected in 2020 after defeating Ann Brooks.
Pictured top: Luis Gomez, Jr. (left) and Henry Cunningham. Pictured inset: Dynette Lewis. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Freezing Cold Night Ahead, Low In the 20s
January 6, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 49. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Rain likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 35. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Rain. High near 50. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 36. East wind around 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of rain before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 49.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.