Pensacola Police, Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Honor Fallen Officers
May 9, 2013
Thursday morning, the Pensacola Police Department held its annual Law Enforcement Memorial to honor those that have died in the line of duty.
Wednesday, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office held a Law Enforcement Memorial Service to honor fallen officers from across the state. The ceremony included a 21-gun salute, an Honor Guard flag presentation and a bagpipe performance of Amazing Grace.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida Literacy Foundation Receives Grant For Scholar Poet Performance
May 9, 2013
Florida Humanities Council has awarded Pensacola’s West Florida Literary Federation a $15,000 grant to bring noted scholar-poet-performer Kwame Dawes to Pensacola for “Art in Motion: From the Gallery to the Theatre”.
An Emmy winner and prize-winning poet, Dawes is currently the Glenna Luschei Editor of Prairie Schooner at the University of Nebraska, where he is a Chancellor’s Professor of English. He will perform in Pensacola on October 24. Along with Dawes, the evening will feature the paintings of local cultural artist Sonja Griffin Evans brought to life by the dancers of MJJ Praise and choreography of Nielah Black-Spears. Evans’ paintings Cotton Conversation, The Washer Woman and The Welcome are symbolic of the industrious free women of color who picked the cotton, wove the cloth, washed the clothes and then used the profits to assist others reach their freedom. The opening act also includes the “Spirits of the Heroes,” a tribute to African-Americans who helped settle Pensacola.
Two mini-events prior to Dawes’ performance will also showcase the African- American contributions to the culture and history of Northwest Florida. In addition, a series of monthly Viva 500 Literary Reflections and open mics will explore the literary heritage of Northwest Florida through different genre. The first mini-performance is noon on May 25 at the Gumbo Gallery, 314 N. DeVilliers, Pensacola. Artel Gallery will host the second performance during October’s Gallery Night.
West Florida Literary Federation is partnering with the African-American Heritage Society to produce the events. The grant was one of nine $15,000 grants awarded by Florida Humanities Council with the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Tate’s Ward Signs Basketball Scholarship With Palm Beach State
May 9, 2013
Tate High School senior point guard Jardae Ward has signed a scholarship with Palm Beach State College. She signed her scholarship in the school’s Fryman Gym in front her teammates, ROTC members and classmates. Pictured: Jardae Ward (left) signs her Palm Beach State College scholarship as her mother, Gwendolyn Ward, looks on. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suns Even Series With 3-1 Win Over Wahoos
May 9, 2013
For the second straight day, it was Christian Yelich who provided the bulk of the Suns offense, as Jacksonville defeated the Blue Wahoos 3-1 at Bragan Field on Wednesday afternoon. Despite a strong start by Wahoos lefty Ryan Dennick, the Suns prevailed to even the series at one game apiece.
Yelich broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning with a two-run home run to right-center field off Blue Wahoos reliever Shaun Ellis. Pensacola had tied the game in the top of the inning when Ryan LaMarre scored from first on a bloop double down the left field line by Joe Mather. It was his second hit of the game.
Jacksonville plated their first run in the sixth inning when Yelich scored from second on a double by Kyle Jensen. It was the only run that Dennick allowed in the game.
Ellis (L, 0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing the home run in the eighth inning. Despite giving up the lone Wahoos run, Scott McGough (W, 3-0) earned the win for Jacksonville. Both starters pitched well, though neither got a decision. Dennick gave up just the one run over six innings with four strikeouts for Pensacola. For the Suns, Sam Dyson pitched five shutout innings and allowed four hits.
Offensively, Travis Mattair picked up another two-hit game with a 2-for-4 afternoon. He has now hit safely in five straight.
Pensacola and Jacksonville will continue their series Thursday night from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m. CT. Pensacola will start RHP Daniel Renken (1-2, 3.07) against Suns RHP Matt Neil (0-2, 4.79).
No Serious Injuries In Wreck Near Jim Allen Elementary
May 8, 2013
There were no serious injuries in a traffic accident on Highway 95A near Jim Allen Elementary School Wednesday morning.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 16-year old Taylor Whaley of Cantonment was stopped on Eden Lane at Highway 95A. Whaley pulled into that path of a northbound Mack dump truck driven by 43-year old Susan Long of Pensacola.
Whaley and the passengers in the vehicle received minor injuries. Long was not injured.
Whaley was cited for violation of right of way, according to FHP.
Man Flees Traffic Crash With A Handgun And A Hatchet
May 8, 2013
Pensacola Police say a man fled the scene of a traffic crash on foot carrying a handgun and hatchet this morning, while telling police they would be surprised at what they found in his vehicle.
The incident occurred around 7:20 a.m. at 17th Avenue and Cervantes Street.
Lt. Rodney Eagerton said the man was northbound on 17th Avenue in a BMW when he pulled onto Cervantes Street and struck a westbound Toyota Camry. The man then grabbed a gun and hatchet, got out of the vehicle he was driving and ran. Police caught him about two blocks from the scene.
During questioning, the 21-year-old man was asked if there were any additional firearms or explosives in the vehicle. He told police there was “something in the vehicle that would be a surprise.” The man then refused to answer additional questions.
A bomb dog from the Pensacola International Airport was brought to the scene and did not alert on the vehicle. An additional firearm was found on the backset.
Traffic was diverted for several blocks in the area for approximately one hour. No one was injured in the crash.
The man was charged with open carrying of a weapon and hit and run, both of which are misdemeanors. He was transported to a local medical facility for evaluation.
Chiefs Beat Paxton In Region 1-1A Semifinals
May 8, 2013
The Northview Chiefs scored seven runs in the final two innings Tuesday night to beat Paxton 8-3 in the Region 1-1A semifinal.
A couple of errors and three hits let to four runs in the top of the sixth for the Northview Chiefs, plus Chad Smith and Jason Freeman had singles. In the top of the seventh, the Chiefs scored three more unearned runs on errors by the Bobcats.
Northview will travel to Holmes County (Bonifay) in the regional finals at 7 p.m. Friday. Holmes County is coming off a 4-2 semi-final win over Central. Admission will be $7 for all ages.
Playing Kids Find Skull, Human Bones In Davisville
May 8, 2013
Two boys playing in a dirt pile at the edge of a Davisville cemetery discovered apparent human remains early Tuesday evening.
The boys found a skull along with additional bones and metal handles that appeared to be from an old coffin in a dirt pile in a cemetery behind the Pine Barren Baptist Church. The church is located on Pine Barren Church Road, between Highway 97 and Highway 4.
The dirt was reportedly piled in the edge of a cemetery after a monument company installed a two-person burial vault in the cemetery a few weeks ago. Officials believe the backhoe operator unintentionally dug into an old unmarked grave, removing the bones and skull with the backhoe bucket. The company and backhoe operator have not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Pine Barren Baptist Church was formed in 1852, and officials believe the bones discovered Tuesday very well could have been buried over 100 years ago. The metal handles appeared to have been used on a wood coffin that had long since deteriorated.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the discovery. A crime scene unit worked into the evening to retrieve the bones and document the scene.
Pictured top and inset: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the discovery of a skull and other apparent human bones Tuesday evening in the Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery in Davisville. Pictured below: A crime scene unit removed the bones for forensic testing. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Employee Arrested For Smuggling Items Into Prison
May 8, 2013
A Century Correctional Institution employee has been arrested for allegedly smuggling banned items into the facility.
Sara Elizabeth Lowery, age 30 of Flomaton, went through a routine check as she reported for work. The check revealed Lowery had five packs of unopened cigars, eight AA batteries, two cell phones wrapped in M&M paper, three cans of smokeless tobacco. two lighters, five activation cards, two packs of colored pens, two packs of single cigarettes and $100 worth of $20 bills, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee. All of the items were retained by the prison.
Lowery was booked into the Escambia County Jail one felony charge of smuggling contraband into prison. She was released from jail on a $2,500 bond.
Landfill Gas To Electricity Facility Turns Trash To Energy Treasure
May 8, 2013
The county’s Perdido Landfill is continuing to turn trash into energy treasure= with Gulf Power Company’s Landfill Gas-to-Energy project hitting a new milestone. Since startup, the plant has generated nearly 65 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy. That’s enough electricity to power a 100 watt bulb for 7,000 years.
Landfill methane gas is one of the most cost-effective forms of renewable energy, forming naturally by decomposition of organic material in landfills. Municipal solid waste landfills are the second largest human-generated source of methane emissions in the United States.
“Since 2010, we have been producing energy from the methane gas created naturally by Escambia County’s Perdido Landfill,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson. “All of that organic waste that is collected creates methane gas at the landfill over time. We’re proud to hit this new milestone for our customers.”
Gulf Power buys the methane from Escambia County and the utility uses it to generate electricity right there at the landfill.
“This is a significant project,” said Smith. “We’re helping the environment, providing revenue for Escambia County and lighting up our communities for years to come. Together, we’re eliminating a source of greenhouse gas by capturing and using the methane gas. We’re generating electricity from a renewable source.”
Currently, landfill gas generators can produce 3,200 kilowatts of renewable energy. The energy capacity can be increased as the landfill produces more methane in the future.
In addition, the facility holds educational tours for school groups and community groups.
Pictured: Gulf Power Company’s Landfill Gas-to-Energy facility, including two 1,600-kilowatt landfill gas generators. File photos, courtesy Gulf Power, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
