A Final Farewell: Last Call Sounds For Veteran Firefighter Joe Huff
February 20, 2012
Escambia Fire Rescue bid a final farewell Sunday to one of their own, Beulah Station Deputy Chief Joe Huff, 64.
Huff passed away last Wednesday after a short battle with cancer. He devoted nearly 50 years of life to volunteer fire service in Escambia County.
Huff’s flag draped coffin was carried open-air on the back of an antique fire truck from his funeral service at Marcus Point Baptist Church to a cemetery on Nine Mile Road. The procession included dozens of fire rescue vehicles from across the area.
His remains entered the cemetery beneath the crossed ladders of two aerial trucks, and his helmet was carried by hand. And Escambia Fire Rescue dispatchers made one final call over the county’s fire radio system.
“Last call for Joe Huff,” the emergency dispatcher called.
There was no response. Just silence.
“There is no response from Joe Huff,” the dispatcher said, her voice resounding across the handheld radios at the service.
The radio silence was broken again, this time by tones used alert firefighters to important information, followed by:
“On behalf of the community and the Beulah Fire Department it is with deep sorrow and sadness to notify you that after 47 years of service, bravery, and heroism, that Joe Huff has completed his last call and has returned home safely to eternity for his final call to watch over his family, friends and fellow firefighters. He will always be in our hearts forever. Escambia Rescue clear.”
Huff’s service to Escambia Fire Rescue included 1967 to 1968 at the Bellview Volunteer Fire Department, 1969 to 1991 at the Ensley Volunteer Fire Department, and 1991 until his death last week at the Beulah Volunteer Fire Department/Escambia County Fire Rescue Station 2 where he currently served as assistant chief.
Huff spent countless hours working on the department’s Beulah Sausage Festival, later renamed Beulahfest. He was a retired security officer with International Paper and worked the pit entrance gate for many years at Five Flags Speedway.
A fund to assist with funeral expenses has been established at Harvester’s Federal Credit Union in Cantonment. Donations should be made to the “Joe Huff Fund”.
For more photos from the services, click here.
Joe Huff is survived by his wife, Charlotte, daughters Vivian Huff , Wendy Wedgwood and Tammy Hester and numerous other family members.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Gas Could Hit $4.25 Before Summer
February 20, 2012
Gas prices continue to rise across the North Escambia area, and some industry analysts say the trend won’t reverse in the near future. The price of a gallon of regular unleaded was about $3.53 Sunday, up about a quarter since the first of the year. Experts are predicting a jump to about $4.25 a gallon by the end of April.
Pictured. Gas was $3.53 a gallon Sunday afternoon on Highway 97 in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Man Held As Fugitive From Justice
February 20, 2012
A Century man is being held without bond in the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail as a fugitive from justice and for violating his probation.
Eric James Grimes, 21, is awaiting extradition to Alabama where he is wanted by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office on one count of second degree receiving stolen property.
Grimes is also being held on an outstanding violation of probation warrant in Escambia County, Fla., issued in connection with a 2009 drug case.
Improvements For Raines Road, Stout Road
February 20, 2012
The Escambia County Road Department is making improvements on two North Escambia area roads — Raines Road near Century and Stout Road in Molino.
Raines Road, Century
The road department is removing excess material along the shoulders of Raines Road to allow proper drainage of water off the roadway. The project is 80 percent complete.
Stout Road, Molino
The asphalt crew has completed an asphalt overlay on the road that was necessary due to the deterioration of the previous open grade cold mix material.
Oops: Driver Fails In Attempt To Cross Flooded Road
February 20, 2012
A driver in Flomaton attempted — and failed — to drive through high water on Railroad Street Sunday morning. According to the Flomaton Fire Department, everyone in the vehicle was able to get out of the vehicle to higher ground on their own without injuries. The area of Railroad Street pictured often floods after heavy rains like the area experienced on Saturday. Submitted photos by Christine Stanton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
February 20, 2012
February Students of the Month have been named for Ernest Ward Middle School. The are (left to right) Elizabeth Wright, seventh grade; Cheyanne Gray, eighth grade; and Jake White, sixth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Jacket Jamboree Benefits FFA (With Photo Gallery)
February 19, 2012
The Northview High School theater came alive Saturday nigh during the Blue Jacket Jamboree presented by the Northview FFA Alumni featuring the CGMA Country Group of the Year “The Springs”.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
The Northview FFA Alumini uses proceeds from the event for scholarships for eligible seniors and transportation for FFA members to state and national conventions.
The Springs have shared the stage with country greats like Alan Jackson, Craig Moran, Toby Keith and Reba McIntire with their high energy brand of Country/Southern Rock.
Nominated along with Steel Magnolia, Sugarland, and Lady Antebellum for the New Music Awards “Country Group of the Year”, The Springs are seen by some as the “next big thing” in country music. The all-male group has also had two Christian country number one songs.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree was sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, Cat Country, 98.7 and Your Country 102.7 WXBM.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Kellie Gindl (center) of Barrineau Park plays a cowbell on stage with The Springs’ lead singer Stewart Halcomb (left) and guitarist Steven Pettry Saturday night during the Northview FFA Alumni Blue Jacket Jamboree in Bratt. Pictured inset: Stewart Halcomb of The Springs. Pictured below: The Springs Perform at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weather: A Cooling Off Period
February 19, 2012
Temperatures are expected to drop during the day on Sunday, with lows back in the 30’s overnight.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- President’s Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Monday Night: Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Isolated showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Brewton Bank Robber May Have Headed To Florida
February 19, 2012
The search is continuing for an Alabama bank robber that authorities said may have fled into Florida.
The Bank of Brewton was robbed in the early afternoon hours on Friday. Due to the bandit’s unique disguise, authorities were unable to determine if the robber was male or female.
The suspect walked into the bank through a public boardwalk entrance at the rear of the building and demanded cash and fled out the same door. Authorities are not sure exactly how the bandit left the area following the robbery, but they now say the bandit may have headed to Florida.
A manhunt followed the robbery involving multiple agencies including the Brewton Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, a K-9 team from the Century Correctional Institution and the FBI.
“This isn’t your normal situation,” Lt. Brock Holt of the Brewton Police Department said.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured: Three images from video surveillance inside the Bank of Brewton Friday afternoon. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Saturday Night Murder Under Investigation
February 19, 2012
A Saturday night murder in Escambia County is under investigation.
The Pensacola Police Department found a man dead outside of an apartment at Gonzalez Court at Ninth Avenue and Fischer Street, according to Sgt. Bruce Martin.
Martin said it is believed the man was outside of an apartment when he was shot about 8:15 p.m. A motive for the shooting has not been established, and there were no arrests reported Saturday night.
The name of the victim has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.