Serious Injuries In Highway 29 Crash Near 10 Mile Road
June 9, 2021
Two people were seriously injured in a near head-on crash Wednesday morning on Highway 29.
The crash happened about 10:35 a.m. on Highway 29 just north of 10 Mile Road. The Florida Highway Patrol said a 64-year old Pensacola man was southbound in a Ford Taurus when he crossed the median into the northbound lanes. The Taurus collided with the front left of a Dodge Challenger driving by a 50-year old Molino woman in what troopers described as an offset head-on collision.”
A white Dodge Journey operated by a 34-year old Pensacola man was traveling north behind the Challenger and collided with the Taurus.
The Taurus came to rest southbound in the northbound lane, and the Challenger was in the grassy area between northbound Highway 29 and Highway 95A. Firefighters were forced to extricate the driver of the Taurus.
The drivers of both the Taurus and the Challenger was transported with serious injuries. to area hospitals by Escambia County EMS. The driver and adult passenger of the Dodge Journey were not injured.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Armed Robbery Of Beulah Circle K Under Investigation
June 9, 2021
Authorities are searching for two suspects after the armed robbery of a convenience store early Wednesday morning in Beulah.
About 1:20 a.m., two white males walked into the Circle K at the corner of Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road. Both suspects were dressed in all black clothing and were armed with knives, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
They demanded the clerk to hand over money and “other items” before exiting the store, she said.
There were no injuries reported. Surveillance images have not yet been released.
Anyone with information on the holdup is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
File photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Woman Drove Her Truck Into Bluff Springs Lake — And Then Went Home
June 9, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says a woman drove her truck into a lake south of Century — and then went home.
Thes submerged pickup was found about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday by individuals fishing near the gravel lake on Bluff Springs Road, just west of the Escambia River in the Bluff Springs Recreation Area.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office dive team responded and by late Tuesday night had determined that no one was inside the truck. Amber Southard, ECSO spokesperson, said Wednesday morning that no charges have been filed against the woman.
One of the people that found the truck told NorthEscambia.com that the truck appeared to be a dually, a dual rear-wheel pickup.
The woman’s name has not been released. She has not been charged in connection with the incident.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Academic Awards Presented To Graduating Seniors At Each Escambia High School
June 9, 2021
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation recently presented senior academic awards to students from each of the Escambia County School District’s high schools.
Seniors received a custom medallion to wear during their graduation ceremony.
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation’s Academic Award honorees for the Class of 2021 were:
Escambia High School
Top Five (Six): Jennifer St. George, Joel Sexton, James Smith, Robert Vititoe, ArieAnna Muro, Malaika Voyou
Career and Technical: Ashley Gray
English: Laylah Curran
Foreign Language: Josefina Garcia
Math: Oanh Tran
Science: Amanda Silvania
Social Studies: Catherine Deason
Northview High School
Top Five: Amber Gilman, Libby Pugh, Savannah Doremus, Leland Seaton, Meredith McGhee
Career and Technical: Noah Harigel
English: Leia Grantham
Math: Sehoye Buckley
Science: David lamb
Social Studies: Ayiana Courtney
Pensacola High School
Top Five: Morgan Boesel, Benjamin Spangrud, Logan Turbiville, Sydney Dodson, Jenalynn Fernandez
National Merit Recipient: Owen Ides, Sydney Dodson
Career and Technical: Jordan Shipp
English: Willow Thompson
Foreign Language: Kyle-Xander Magpoc
Math: Samantha Galvan-Diaz
Science: Adryanna Cummings
Social Studies: Precious Oliver
PHS – International Baccalaureate
Top Five & National Merit Recipient: MaxAnthony Mateer
Top Five & National Merit Recipient: Ashley Wu
Top Five: Levi Cherek
Top Five & National Merit Recipient: Mai Tran
Top Five: Olivia Langhorne
Top Five: Claire Litvak
Top Five: Lauryn Murphy
National Merit Recipients: Calla Endacott, Kendall Frazee, Alyssa Pascoe, George Thomas Prettyman, Amy Zhang
Career and Technical: Graybill Partington
English: Akelah Reeves
Foreign Language: Adele Dorion
Math: Khuyen
Science: Siddhi Gavkar
Social Studies: Elizabeth Molchan
Pine Forest High School
Top Five & National Merit Recipient: Kayla Stapleton
Top Five: Alexandria Dread, Justin Pengson, Alan Munoz, Jaylen Thomas
Career and Technical: Jaeden Burrier
English: Caden Wilson
Foreign Language: Kaylee Holland
Math: Tabatha Farro
Science: Yasmin Blount
Social Studies: Sheridan McRoberts
Tate High School
Top Five & National Merit Recipient: Michael Dixon, John Semple
Top Five: Katelyn Loudon, Maggie Brown, Quang Vo
Career and Technical: Adam Lee
English: Evelyn Campbell
Foreign Language: Lauren Torrez
Math: Jonathan French
Science: Jackson Chatwood
Social Studies: Courtney Adams
Booker T. Washington High School
Top Five: Cortney Sherman, Vu Pham, Steven Nguyen, Xian Zhang, Alan Lapid, Measia Armstrong
Career and Technical: Elana Burke
English: Isabella Swan
Foreign Language: Mary Marinescu
Math: Turner Friday
Science: Trevor Shaffer
Social Studies: Cheree Rembert
West Florida High School
Top Five: Measia Armstrong, Jeffrey Bates, Autumn Clayton, Vi Dang, Roel Torres
Career and Technical: Cathryn Clay
English: Hayamus Williams
Foreign Language: Marina Tampary
Math: Ian Young
Science: Logan Nix
Social Studies: Kevin Le
Century To Seek New Communications Provider, Phone System
June 9, 2021
The Town of Century is looking for a new communications provider.
The town will soon issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a communications company with services that include office phone voice and fax service, a new VOIP phone system, internet and an after hours answering solution.
Interim City Manager Vernon Prather said a staff analysis has found the town’s current phone system is at least 10 years old and outdated, and the town should be able to improve service while reducing costs. He said the town received an unsolicited offer from C Spire and they were encouraged by options and prices, prompting them to seek proposals from other companies to meet bid laws.
“There may be somebody that’s better than them,” Prather told the town council.
The town is currently developing the RFP to be advertised at a future date. The proposal will go back to the town council for consideration.
File photo.
George Brown Named New Flomaton High School Principal
June 9, 2021
The Escambia County (AL) School Board has named the new principal of Flomaton High School, and he’s no stranger to Flomaton.
The new Flomaton High School principal is George Brown who has been principal at Flomaton Elementary School since 2018. He is also a 1995 Flomaton High School graduate.
Brown’s first official day in his new position will be July 1.
Current FHS Principal Scott Hammond is retiring.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Patchy Fog Overnight
June 9, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
After Appeal, Woman Now Serving 30 Days For Death Of Dog In Hot Car
June 9, 2021
An Escambia County woman convicted of the death of a dog in a hot car in now serving jail time after partially winning an appeal.
Crystal Marie Houk, 38, is serving 30 days in the Escambia County Jail for the 2019 death of her dog Gracie Mae. She will also face 36 months probation along with costs and fines when released.
In March 2021, she was convicted of aggravated animal cruelty and animal cruelty. She remained out of jail while she appealed.
On appeal, Houk’s attorney argued that convictions and sentences for both animal cruelty and aggravated animal cruelty amounted to double jeopardy. The Florida First District Court of Appeal agreed that the dual convictions violate the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy. The appeals court reversed the lessor conviction of animal cruelty and affirmed the greater conviction of aggravated animal cruelty.
On August 22, 2019 — a day described as hot and humid by prosecutors — Houk spent over an hour inside the Walmart in Ensley while her dog Grace Mae was left behind in her car in the parking lot. The windows were closed and the dog did not have any water. Knowing there was a problem with the car’s air conditioner, she left it running with a PVC pipe pressed against the gas pedal to keep the car running.
Store employees were eventually alerted and, upon gaining entry into the vehicle, they discovered the air conditioner was blowing hot air. Gracie was in great distress at that point, panting heavily and trying to catch her breath. She passed away about 15 minutes later.
An animal control officer testified that Gracie died of a heat stroke, and that she suffered.
The dog’s internal temperature was so elevated that the thermometer displayed a reading of “H,” indicating a temperature above 109.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
Linda C. Helton
June 9, 2021
Linda C. Helton, age 77, of Atmore, AL passed away on June 3, 2021 in Atmore, AL. She was born on March 24, 1944 in Damascus, AL to King David and Melissa Evelyn Lanier Cotton. She was a member of Oak Grove Church of Christ. She was the owner and a cosmetologist of Merle Norman Cosmetics in Atmore, AL for many years. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, John Cotton and Robert Cotton; her sisters, Mabel Edmiston, Marjorie Troutman and Margaret Ann Beasley. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, William “Don” Helton of Atmore, AL; her daughter, Laura (Jason) Carraway of Atmore, AL; her brothers, Stacey W. (Suzanne) Cotton of Covington, GA and Harlen Gene (JoAnn) Cotton of Atmore, AL; her grandchild, Austin Gibbs and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
A graveside memorial service and interment will be held Friday, June 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL with Bro. Brad Sullivan officiating.
Wahoos Take Down Lookouts In Rain-Shortened Opener
June 9, 2021
The Blue Wahoos offense exploded in the first inning scoring seven times against Lookouts starter Matt Pidich (L, 0-3) en route to a 9-3 win on Tuesday.
The onslaught began right from the get-go, as each of the first four batters for the Wahoos reached base safely. Peyton Burdick and Jerar Encarnacion both had base hits before JJ Bleday walked to load the bases with nobody out. Nick Fortes then came to the plate and laced a two-run double to center to put the Wahoos ahead 2-0. That was just the beginning, as Pidich was removed with two outs in the first after Burdick recorded his second base hit of the inning.
By the time the top of the first came to a close, the Wahoos had seven runs on six hits.
Brandon Leibrandt (W, 1-3) was never under any serious pressure from the Lookouts despite the hosts scoring one run in the first and second inning. Leibrandt finished the night pitched a season-best 5.1 innings and striking out four as the left-hander earned his first win of the season.
After an RBI base hit from Mariel Bautista off Wahoos reliever Zach Wolf, the Lookouts would score no more runs for the rest of the night.
In the top of the eighth inning, Burdick came to the plate as the rain came pouring down. JC Keys clipped with a fastball that appeared to slip out of his hands, which prompted the umpires to suspend play due to rain. After the mandatory thirty-minute delay, the game was called for the Wahoos.
Tomorrow the series continues as RHP Jeff Lindgren (2-2, 3.38) takes the mound for Pensacola against LHP Connor Curlis (1-2, 6.14)