Otis Carlton Stanley
August 23, 2021
Otis Carlton Stanley passed away on Friday, August 20, 2021, in Pensacola, FL. He was born August 6, 1933, in Doniphan, MO, to Grover and Ava Stanley. Otis enlisted in the Navy in 1957 and retired in 1976. He continued to serve as a contractor with the Army until 1998, when he relocated to Pensacola to enjoy retirement.
Otis enjoyed taking friends and family to see the Blue Angels and visiting the Pensacola Naval Air Museum, where he volunteered.
Otis is survived by his wife, Glynnell Stanley, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 3:00 PM, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South. Chaplain David Gibson will be officiating. Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
Suspect In Bratt Home Invasion Arrested After All-Day Search
August 22, 2021
A home invasion suspect was arrested Saturday night after a day-long manhunt near Bratt.
The home invasion was reported in the eight o’clock hour Saturday morning in the 5400 block of Still Road, just south of West Highway 4. There were no injuries reported.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and K-9’s spent hours Saturday and into Saturday night searching for the suspect.
Paul Ray Morris, age 42 of Atmore, was located by ECSO deputies and arrested shortly after 9 p.m. in the 5400 block of Still Road – at or near the location of the reported home invasion.
Morris was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 11:44 p.m. Saturday. He was charged with burglary, criminal mischief property damage, larceny from a person age 65 or older, grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $21,000.
Pictured: A manhunt followed a home invasion on Still Road near Bratt Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Murder After Victim’s Body Found In Vehicle Trunk On Highway 29 In Ensley
August 22, 2021
The body of a Crestview murder victim was found in the trunk of a vehicle on Highway 29 Saturday evening in Ensley, and the driver is now charged.
The Crestview Police Department has charged 37 year old Johnny Lee Akins, Jr. with murder in connection with an incident that occurred on East Walnut yesterday.
During the incident, Johnny Akins shot and killed a 42 year old male victim that was later identified as James D. Matthews of Holt.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Highway 29 near the Murphy Oil gas station. “They arrived to find a black male in a state of excited delirium”, according to Sgt. Melanie Peterson. The man was taken into custody a short distance away near Game Stop in the shopping center in front of Walmart and transported to a local hospital.
“He was transported to the hospital after they got control of him,” she said. “They ran the tag, and the vehicle came back that the owner of the car was suspected in a homicide out of Crestview.”
She said there were drugs in plain view “everywhere” on the seat of the car. As part of the inventory process before seizing the vehicle, the trunk was opened.
“There was a dead body there in the trunk,” Peterson said.
The investigation into the incident is continuing by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Crestview Police, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hot, Humid, Afternoon Thunderstorms On The Weather Menu
August 22, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
COVID-19 Vaccination Event Tuesday In Century
August 22, 2021
Community Health Northwest Florida will host an after school vaccination clinic for all ages this week in Century.
The COVID-19 vaccination clinic for ages 12 and older will be held from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday at Community Health Northwest Florida Century Pediatrics at 501 Church Street. Siblings, parents, guardians, or any individuals age 18 are welcome to participate.
Participants will have the choice of the Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Persons wishing to participate in any CHNWF vaccination clinic may call the Community Health Vaccine Call Center at (850) 439-3358 to schedule an appointment or simply walk in at their convenience during regular operating hours.
All participants will be required to show photo ID at time of appointment. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days or have had symptoms of illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath) in the past 14 days should not receive the vaccine and should not enter clinic facility.
Pictured: Community Health Northwest Florida Century Pediatrics. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Tate Meets Pace In Kickoff Classic
August 22, 2021
The Tate High School Aggies traveled to Pace to take on the Patriots in a Kickoff Classic Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Scores were as follows:
- Freshmen – Pace 8, Tate 6
- JV – Pace 7, Tate 0
- Varsity – Pace 17, Tate 0
The Tate Aggies will kick off their 2021 regular season Friday night, August 27 as they host Pensacola High School at 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
August 22, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Aug. 28. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction- The following road closures will take place between Graffiti Bridge and Bayfront Parkway the week of Sun. Aug 22 as crews work on the 17th Avenue tie-in to the new interchange.
- Southbound lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- North and southbound travel lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction- The following road closures will take place between Graffiti Bridge and Bayfront Parkway the week of Sun. Aug 22 as crews work on the 17th Avenue tie-in to the new interchange.
During the closures, southbound traffic on 17th Avenue will be detoured to 14th Avenue using East Belmont Street. Pensacola Bay Bridge traffic destined for 17th Avenue northbound will be detoured to Ninth Avenue.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure. In addition, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures to allow construction crews to mobilize materials and equipment.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Aug. 23 through Friday, Aug. 27 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project –The inside lane will be closed between North Pace Boulevard and J Street to perform median improvements. Drivers are reminded the speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street is 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – There will be alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Aug. 23 as crews place a watermain.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Routine Bridge Maintenance from Maxwell Street to Garden Street – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 26 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Turn Lane Construction at West Roberts Road and Crowe Lane – There will be intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the intersections of West Roberts Road and Crowe Lane Tuesday, Aug. 24 through Friday, Aug. 27 as crews perform paving operations.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Aug. 28. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are anticipated traffic impacts.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River bridge 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 through Thursday, Aug. 26 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
File photo.
Bruce Ladon Smith
August 22, 2021
Bruce Ladon Smith, 70 of Atmore, AL. passed away August 20, 2021 in Atmore. He was born on November 27, 1950 to the late Bruce and Carolyn Sharpless Smith in Atmore. He attended McRae United Methodist Church in Atmore and is preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Smith owned and operated many pawn shops through the years.
He is survived by his son Scotty (Dodi) Smith of Atmore and daughter Kelly (Curt) Houston of Foley, AL; sister Anita Mancil of Atmore, AL; eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren and family and friends.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Miller Cemetery in Little Rock, AL. with Bro. Ed Wooten officiating. Interment will follow in Miller Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 24, 2021 from 10 AM until 11 AM at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Ervin Berry
August 22, 2021
Ervin Berry, 69 of Davisville, FL. passed away August 14, 2021. He was born on July 17, 1952 in Montgomery, AL. to the late Colon H. and Gwnette Wilkins Berry.
He worked for Frontier Communications for 33 years and was currently employed with the City of Atmore as an engineer.
He was preceded in death his parents and his brother Everett Berry. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He is survived by his children Craig Berry of Flomaton, AL; Lindsay Rebecca Berry (Craig Watson) of Flomaton, AL; Jennifer Janell (Wesley) Butts of Louisville, TN. Grandchildren Colby, Kaitlin, Jackson, Natalee, Bailey, Preston, Brandon; two great grandchildren Luke, Liam and many family and friends.
A private inurnment will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Blue Wahoos Get 3-2 Walk-off Win Over Shuckers
August 22, 2021
After Griffin Conine tied the game with a solo home run in the top of the ninth, Demetrius Sims blooped a game-winning single to right, giving the Blue Wahoos a walk-off 3-2 win over the Shuckers on Saturday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th, Biloxi turned to reliever Braden Webb, (L, 4-7) despite his poor numbers against Pensacola this season (8.31 ERA in 9 prior appearances). Webb’s first pitch to Conine was belted out to left, skimming over the top of the left-field wall before skipping out into the bay for a solo home run, tying the game at 2-2. Two pitches later, Brian Navarreto smashed a double off the left-field wall. With nobody out, Zack Kone was brought in to pinch run at second, and after a fly out from Riley Mahan, Sims looped a single to right, giving the Blue Wahoos a much-needed win and a 3-2 series edge over the Shuckers heading into Sunday’s finale.
Jeff Lindgren—who did not factor into the decision—turned in another fine outing, throwing five innings of one-run ball. The right-hander allowed four hits and only walked one batter while striking out seven, which was one shy of tying his career high. The only run he allowed came on an RBI single from Gabe Holt in the second inning in which Korry Holt had been running on the pitch from first. Outside of the second, the Shuckers only had one runner in scoring position for the rest of his outing.
Offensively, Pensacola struggled to find an answer for Jesus Castillo. The former Mobile BayBear twirled six shutout innings and only allowed three hits while striking out two. Saturday was Castillo’s first quality start since July 29 against Montgomery.
Andrew McInvale was the first name called out of the bullpen for the Wahoos. After a perfect sixth inning, McInvale returned to the mound in the seventh but failed to retire a batter. After a walk, a two-base throwing error from the pitcher, and another walk, Jefry Yan was brought into the game with nobody out.
Holt dropped a safety-squeeze bunt right back to Yan, whose toss to home was too high as Korry Howell slid under the tag to make it 2-0 Biloxi. After that, Yan was lights out retiring five out the next six without giving up a run.
In the bottom of the seventh, Riley Mahan belted a solo home run off Cody Beckman to give the Wahoos momentum after stalling on offense for most of the game. For Mahan, it was his first home run since August 1 against the M-Braves.
Colton Hock (W, 2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the Wahoos, keeping the score 2-1 and giving Pensacola a realistic chance to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth. Pensacola is now only three games back of Montgomery for the second and final playoff spot for the inaugural Double-A South Championship Series. Montgomery and Mississippi were rained out tonight, and a doubleheader has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Wahoos conclude their series against the Shuckers on Sunday.