Joseph Kelley Bellew
August 16, 2026
Joseph Kelley Bellew age 98 passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026, at his home in Walnut Hill, FL. He was surrounded by his beloved wife, Annette Bellew, and family.
Joe was preceded in death by his first wife Patricia Ellen Bellew of 38 years; his parents John Tyrie Bellew and Allie Bertie Bellew; his brothers Max Tyrie Bellew and “Pat” Fayette Edward Bellew.
Joe is survived by his wife Annette Bellew; his sister Mary Henslee; brothers-in-law BC Hall (Mary), and Robert Hall (Mary); his sons “Ted” Theodore Toop and David Bellew (Susan); his stepsons Edward Giddins and “Johnny” John Giddins; his grandchildren Gary Toop Sr. (Pam), Richie Toop (Lorretta), Chandra Toop, Scarlett Hommerbocker (Preston), “Beth” Elizabeth Cantrell (Adam), “Katy” Kathryn Rush (Josh), “Cristy” Cristin Bellew, Carmen Gindl (Stephen), Chad Giddins, and John-Dereck Giddins; great-grandchildren Gary Toop Jr., Krystale Toop, Amber McCraney, Marcus Toop, Brian Toop, Dannah Knight, Chelsey Abbott, Blessing Masciale, Breanna Hommerbocker, Addison Cantrell, Morgan Cantrell, Alexander Rush, Madison Rush, Isaiah Hughes, Benjamin Latham, Caleb Gindl, Lacie Gindl, Adam Gindl, Brayden Gindl, CJ Gindl, Izabelle Gindl, Blaise Gindl, Connor Giddins, and Cameron Giddins; and 19 great-great-grandchildren.
Joe was born February 1,1928, in Oneonta, Alabama, to John Tyrie Bellew and Allie Bertie Bellew. He moved to Michigan for work in 1950 where he met and married “Pat” Patricia Ellen McDonald and where their son David was born. In 1955, Joe moved his young family to Barwick, Georgia, to help his family on a farm after his brother Max’s tragic accident. After learning the farm was being sold, he met a traveling veterinarian who told him about a job in Florida where they needed a “good cow man.”
Joe began work for La Forest Perdida in 1960 as a Cattle Foreman. He was a true Cattle-Roping Cowboy. If he wasn’t working with the cows and horses, planting trees, baling hay or mowing grass, he was chasing hunters off the company property. Joe was a hard worker who had to be moving. He always preferred to be outdoors. He continued doing the work he loved for over half a century until he was made to retire at the age of 82, or as he put it, “I was fired.”
The most important event of his life happened in 1962 when, in answer to his mother’s faithful and fervent prayers, he became a new man, saved by Christ. On that day Joseph Kelley Bellew changed from dark to light. Leaving his old life behind, he was now focused on reading his Bible every day, praying and attempting to win souls for Christ. He would not be in a conversation with someone long before asking if they were a Christian or if they knew the Lord. No matter what you called him: Joe, Dad, Papaw, Brother Joe, or Deacon, he has left us all with a legacy of faith and service. He was loved and will be greatly missed by his family, by his church, by his community, by the many men who came to see him as a father figure, and by the children who knew him as “The Candy Man” at Enon Baptist Church.
Funeral services for Joseph (Joe) Bellew will be held at Enon Baptist Church, 7121 CR-97A McDavid, FL, on Tuesday, August 18. Family visitation at 10 a.m., open visitation 10:30-11:30 a.m. Service to follow immediately after conclusion of visitation, followed by a grave side service at adjacent Enon cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Roy Thomas, Bill Jacoby, Robert Hall, David Chaver, Michael Chaver, and Jason Lamb.
Earl Howard Halfacre Jr
August 16, 2026
Earl Howard Halfacre Jr. met our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face and entered the gates of Heaven on August 13, 2026, surrounded by love and leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories.
Earl Howard was a man of deep and unwavering faith. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at a young age, and throughout his life, the fruits of the Spirit could be seen in the way he loved, served, encouraged, and cared for those God placed in his path.
Born and raised in Cantonment, Florida, Earl Howard spent his childhood running the roads of “the Village” alongside his favorite cousins and best friends and playing just about every sport available to him. He was a naturally gifted athlete, and during his years at Tate High School, he competed in football, baseball, basketball, and track and field, earning an impressive eleven varsity letters. One of the highlights of Earl Howard’s young athletic career came in 1959, when he and his best friend, David Patrick, were chosen to play in the Colt Baseball World Series. His team went on to win the championship, and in a moment that surely stayed with him for a lifetime, Earl Howard—playing second base—caught the final out that sealed the victory
After graduating from Tate, Earl Howard attended Pensacola Junior College on a baseball scholarship. After a year of college, he chose to enter the workforce and married his high school sweetheart. Together, they welcomed two beautiful daughters, Karen and Linda.
Years later, Earl Howard’s life took an unexpected and beautiful new turn when he met and married Bobbie Hudson-Halfacre, the love of his life. His daughters were grown, and Earl Howard might have thought his days of raising young children were behind him. Instead, life gave him the opportunity to begin again.
When Earl Howard came into their lives, Amanda was five and Mark was three. He opened his heart to them, helped raise them, and loved and treated them as his own. What could have seemed like starting over became one of the great chapters of his life. He embraced it wholeheartedly.
Earl Howard’s heart extended far beyond his own family. Throughout his life, he spent countless hours coaching, teaching, encouraging, and mentoring young athletes. For him, coaching was never only about winning games. It was an opportunity to invest in young people, to teach them discipline and perseverance, to encourage them, and to help them become better both on and off the field.
Over the years, Earl Howard had the privilege of coaching football, basketball, and baseball, from Little League through the high school level. He served as an assistant varsity football and baseball coach at Vernon High School, an assistant varsity football coach at Ridge Community High School, and an assistant varsity basketball coach at The Vanguard School. Wherever he coached, Earl Howard brought with him his love of sports, his competitive spirit, and, most importantly, his genuine love for the young people entrusted with his care.
If you knew Earl Howard, you knew there were three things especially close to his heart: God, family, and the Florida Gators. His faith came first, his family was his greatest earthly treasure, and somewhere not too far behind were his beloved Gators.
If there was a Florida Gators sporting event on television, chances were Earl Howard was watching. It didn’t matter if it was football, baseball, basketball, or even girls’ softball—if the Gators were playing, he was cheering them on.
Softball, however, held a particularly special place in his heart. Long before girls’ athletics had many of the opportunities they have today, Earl Howard, along with Sonny Wise, established and coached the first girls’ softball league in Cantonment, Florida. It was another reflection of who he was. When he saw an opportunity for young people to play, grow, compete, and belong, he didn’t simply stand on the sidelines—he stepped forward and helped make it happen.
That was Earl Howard. Whether it was his family, an athlete he was coaching, or a young person who simply needed someone to believe in them, he gave his time, his encouragement, and his heart. The scoreboard may have mattered while the game was being played, but the lives he touched mattered far more.
Earl Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Howard Halfacre Sr. and Beatrice Halfacre; his dearly loved brother, Eddie Halfacre; his niece, Becky Halfacre; and several of his closest friends and lifelong buddies who went before him. We can only imagine the joyful reunion that awaited him in Heaven.
Left to cherish his memory and carry forward the love, faith, laughter, and lessons he gave so freely are his beloved wife of 40 years, Bobbie Hudson-Halfacre; his children, Karen Hatcher (Larry), and Linda Tatum (Andy), Amanda Rogers (Russ), Mark Barraclough (Hannah) and special nephew he loved like a son, Donald Troy (Chania). He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Justin Hatcher (Lindsey), Kaitlyn Smith (Austin), Jarred Tatum, Brandon Tatum, Kayla Tatum, Tripp Barraclough, Aryn Rogers, Cheyenne Barraclough, and Roman Barraclough; and his bonus grandchildren, Gunter Rogers (Rachel) and Garrett Rogers (Sabrina).
Earl Howard’s legacy continues through his great-grandchildren, his extended family, his beloved cousins, the countless athletes he coached and mentored over the years, and the many friends whose lives were made better simply because Earl Howard was a part of them.
While those who loved him will deeply feel his absence, there is comfort in knowing that Earl Howard’s story did not end here. The faith he carried throughout his life became sight as he entered the presence of the Savior. And the greatest pieces of the man he was—his faith, his love for family, his generosity, his lessons, and his love for the Florida Gators—will live on in all of us who were blessed enough to call him husband, Dad, Pearl, Paw Paw, The Mess, Earlvis, family, coach, and friend.
The Halfacre family would like to recognize and extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals and care teams who provided such loving care and support to Earl Howard.
A special thank you to his nephew, Marshall Nance, who has devoted so much of his time over the past year to helping care for Earl Howard. Your love, dedication, and support have meant more to our family than words can express.
We would also like to thank Emerald Coast Hospice for being an incredible source of comfort, guidance, and support during this difficult time. Your compassion and kindness brought reassurance when it was needed most.
Finally, our deepest appreciation goes to the Baptist care team, who went above and beyond to ensure Earl Howard was cared for with dignity, compassion, and tenderness. Your dedication helped provide him with peace and comfort, while giving our family the certainty of knowing he was in caring hands.
Weekly Roundup: Primary Home Stretch
August 16, 2026
Florida Weekly Roundup is a look back at last week in a Florida politics and government.
Candidates in Tuesday’s primary elections spent the final week getting out their message, as many voters have already cast their ballots.
Nearly 1.5 million Floridians have voted by mail or through in-person early voting.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS
It’s no surprise Republican voters, with nearly a 1.6 million registration advantage over the Democrats, have been more active in the primary, at least when it comes to those already filling out ballots.
There are scrambles for Congressional districts that were rewritten by the Legislature to bolster the number of Republican-held seats, primaries on both sides of the aisle for U.S. Senate and the Cabinet offices of agriculture commissioner and chief financial officer.
At least 16 state House incumbents are facing primary challengers. The focus of the state Senate primaries has been Senate District 16 between House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, and Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, where the winner takes the seat.
The big-ticket item for Tuesday’s contest is the Republican gubernatorial primary, which long ago was tilted by President Donald Trump towards U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples.
The endorsement didn’t deter the other 10 Republicans on the ballot, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former state House Speaker Paul Renner and conservative activist James Fishback.
But it has helped Donalds’ campaign account collect more than $11.5 million, while Renner, Collins and Fishback are all under $600,000.
Term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn’t made an endorsement, but recently said Renner could “be really good” as governor.
DeSantis had previously said Renner’s entry into the contest was “ill-advised.”
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, the former governor who hasn’t been on the best terms with DeSantis, campaigned with Donalds in Wauchula on Thursday, retorting that when he ran for re-election to the U.S. Senate DeSantis “didn’t endorse me and I did fine in ‘24.”
On the Democratic side in the gubernatorial race, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a converted Democrat, is the frontrunner in a field of six that includes state Rep. Dotie Joseph of Miami. Joseph jumped into the contest after former Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings dropped out on the eve of qualifying due to health concerns.
The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate sees state Rep. Angie Nixon, a Jacksonville progressive, taking on retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, who became a national figure as a key witness in Trump’s first impeachment. Most of his messaging has been directed as U.S. Ashley Moody, the Tampa Republican appointed to the office last year by DeSantis, who has three primary challengers.
CREATING AIR TRAFFIC
DeSantis announced that testing on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft will be underway by the end of the year at the SunTrax test facility in Polk County.
“We believe that you’re going to see major breakthroughs in this technology in the coming years,” DeSantis said.
Earlier this year, DeSantis signed legislation (HB 1093) allowing the Florida Department of Transportation to fund 100 percent of the project costs for a public vertiport if federal funds are unavailable. If federal funds are available, FDOT may fund up to 80 percent of the nonfederal share.
Vertiports are expected to serve as hubs for short aerial commutes by the battery-powered aircraft that have characteristics of airplanes and helicopters.
DeSantis also signed a wide-ranging transportation package in 2025 requiring the transportation department to develop a plan for advanced air mobility with the Department of Commerce. The law also required advances in aviation technology to be included in the annual transportation work program.
STORY OF THE WEEK:
With nearly 1.5 million Floridians already participating, the 2026 primary cycle reaches its final days.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“I have not endorsed Cory Mills and I do not support Cory Mills.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis when asked Friday about Florida’s Congressional District 7 contest that involved incumbent U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from New Smyrna Beach who is subject to an active House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance breaches.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Mary Dean Stokes
August 16, 2026
Mary Dean Stokes, 96, of Cantonment, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on August 11, 2026.
She was born in Sterrett, Alabama, on May 12, 1930 to Gordie and Pearl Hartsfield. She married James Melvin Stokes, Jr., and their love story lasted 48 years until his passing. Mary had a 30-year career with Chemstrand-Monsanto as a draw twist operator. She was a faithful member of Smyrna Baptist Church, growing in grace with her church community. Her hobbies were cooking and gardening, growing a beautiful array of both flowers and vegetables.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Gordie and Pearl Hartsfield; husband, J. R. Stokes; daughter, Connie Stokes Reynolds; and sisters, Gordalee Gill, Erma Jean Wallis, Billie Earle Brasher, Verina Anne Ball; and brother, Harold L. Hartsfield.
She is survived by her sister, Sara Nell Weldon; daughter, Suzanne Stokes; grandchildren, Holly DeAnn Reynolds, Heather Lane (John) Nicholls; son-in-law, Ronnie Reynolds; great-grandchildren, Zoey DeAnn Milstead, Zachary Michael Milstead, Connie Noel Nicholls, Houston Grey Nicholls; and many special nieces and nephews.
Serving the family as pallbearers will be Ronnie Reynolds, Rusty Burrell, Derek Weldon, John Nicholls, Drew Weldon, Zachary Milstead, and Houston Nicholls.
A funeral service will be held at Smyrna Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to visit with the family at the church from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Mary will be dearly remembered by the friends and family that she cared for so much.
Wahoos Win Fifth Straight Over Biloxi
August 16, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos stayed hot on Saturday night, beating the Biloxi Shuckers 7-3 for their fifth win in a row.
Jacob Kisting (W, 2-0) continued to impress on the mound, allowing just one earned run over 5.0 solid innings to earn his second win in as many starts since joining the Blue Wahoos at the trade deadline.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first, the Blue Wahoos struck back in the second inning against Biloxi’s Bishop Letson (L, 5-6) thanks to three hits and a pair of errors. Connor Caskenette tied the game with an RBI single, and then scored from first when Colby Shade’s RBI single was misplayed by Shuckers right fielder Damon Keith.
Another Biloxi error from shortstop Jesús Made netted a Pensacola run in the third inning, and the Blue Wahoos created more distance in the fifth inning against reliever Travis Smith. Brandon Compton hit an RBI double to score Juan Matheus from first base, and Fenwick Trimble launched a two-run homer to extend the lead to 7-2. Trimble was 2-for-4 in his first game since missing nearly a month to injury.
Effective relief from Logan Whitaker, Gabe Bierman and Nigel Belgrave sealed a 7-3 win, tying Pensacola’s longest winning streak of the season at five games. It also marked a low point for the Shuckers, who have now lost 10 games in a row dating back to August 5.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos gained ground in the race for the second half South Division title and are now 4.0 games ahead of the Montgomery Biscuits with 25 games remaining in the regular season.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Shuckers on Sunday, searching for their first six-game series sweep since September 2023.
written by Erik Bremer
State Ag Officer Praised For Saving Life Of Choking Child In Century
August 15, 2026
A Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) officer is being credited with saving the life of a one-year-old child in Century earlier this week.
On Tuesday afternoon, OALE Officer William Register was working a detail in Century when a couple rushed to him at the Marathon Station on North Century Boulevard for help after their child began choking and struggling to breathe.
“Register immediately took action, performing back blows that helped clear the child’s airway and improve breathing before EMS arrived,” OALE said on Friday. “The child was transported to a local hospital for treatment.”
The incident began in Flomaton where the couple called for help, prompting a response from the Flomaton Fire Department and Newman’s Ambulance. In the meantime, the couple decided to drive south, stopping at the Marathon Station at North Century Boulevard and East Highway 4. Since Flomaton Fire and Newman’s had already responded, they continued to the Century gas station along with the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton later praised Register’s actions, saying that in more than 40 years of firefighting, he had never seen a law enforcement officer handle a situation with such care and professionalism.
OALE said, “We are incredibly proud of Officer Register’s quick thinking, calm composure, and genuine compassion in a moment that truly mattered.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
All West Florida Library Book Drops Closed Until After August 18 Election
August 15, 2026
All West Florida Libraries book drops are closed until after the August 18 primary election.
Materials can be returned to the service desk at any WFPL branch.
The book drops are closed to avoid confusion and voters attempting to return vote-by-mail ballots. Some of the libraries serve as either early voting or precinct locations.
Pictured: The book drop outside the Century Library. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Murder At Escambia County Apartment
August 15, 2026
A 31-year-old man is facing a homicide charge after allegedly shooting and killing his roommate in an Escambia County apartment on Thursday.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded on to an apartment located on Spanish Trail. Upon arrival, they discovered a 37-year-old male deceased from a gunshot wound.
Investigators determined that the victim was shot by his roommate while lying in bed.
Deputies arrested Will Victor Bryant, 31, and charged him with homicide. Authorities stated that a motive has not yet been established, and the case remains an ongoing investigation.
‘We Are Ready’: Escambia Superintendent Visits Byrneville Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle
August 15, 2026
“We are ready.”
That’s how one Byrneville Elementary School student described the new school year, a sentiment echoed by Escambia County Public School Superintendent Keith Leonard, who continued his annual first week of school visits on Friday with stops at Byrneville and Ernest Ward Middle School.
“I am proud of where we started, and we are just going to keep working hard every day,” Leonard said, adding that enrollment had increased to over 32,000 students in traditional district schools.
Students in Byrneville fifth grade teacher Jacke Johnston’s class answered Leonard’s questions about what they did over the summer, their upcoming middle school, and what they like, so far, about fifth grade.
One of their favorite things about being a fifth grader is their “senior privileges,” especially eating lunch in their classroom.
“We have a refrigerator and a microwave that we get to use,” one student said.
The students also questioned Leonard about his job, expressing particular amazement that on the first day of school he stayed at work until after 6 p.m. when the last ECPS student made it home safely.
The superintendent also visited with Tracy Barberree very excited kindergarten class.
Ernest Ward Middle
A “Congratulations! Ernest Ward is an ‘A’ school!” sign outside EWMS proclaims.
“Come here, listen how quiet this hallway is; you can’t hear a thing,” Leonard said during his visit to Ernest Ward in Walnut Hill. “These kids are well-behaved, and they are learning.”
At EWMS, he met with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger and Assistant Principal Rodney Drish as they prepared for an eighth grade meeting on the district’s Code of Student Conduct.
“With my eighth graders, it’s just a quick review because they know what is expected of them,” Boulanger said.
Leonard congratulated the Ernest Ward administration on the school’s A grade and overall learning gains.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Saturday Is The Final Day Of Early Voting
August 15, 2026
Saturday is the last day of early voting for the August 18 primary election.
Early voting will be available from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 10 locations in Escambia County:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A, Molino
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd, Century
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Asbury Place, 750 College Blvd, Pensacola
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street, Pensacola
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W De Soto Street, Pensacola
Polls will be open on election day, Tuesday, November 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.