Chance Of Rain Continues Through The Weekend
June 4, 2021
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Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 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 87.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Employee Pleads Guilty After Video Recording Co-Workers In Pensacola VA Clinic Restroom
June 4, 2021
A Department of Veterans Affairs employee pleaded guilty Thursday to video recording fellow employees in the bathroom at the Veterans Affairs Joint Ambulatory Care Center in Pensacola.
Robert Sampson, 52, of Gulf Breeze, entered the plea to federal charges of video voyeurism and disorderly conduct. Sampson surreptitiously videoed eight fellow employees on multiple occasions from August 2019 to June 2020.
“The victims in this case perform an incredible service to our retired and disabled military community and they should feel safe and have their privacy respected in their work environment,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody. “I applaud the Department of Veterans Affairs Police and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General for their thorough investigation into this crime.”
Sampson admitted to placing a hidden camera, disguised to look like a cell phone charger power adapter, in a restroom at the Pensacola VA Center approximately 17 times. When VA employees discovered the recording device and notified the VA Police, Sampson attempted to wrestle the employees for control of the device. Sampson later admitted that he had placed the device in the restroom to record individuals in the restroom and would later watch the footage.”
Sampson will be sentenced on August 19. He faces up to one year in jail for video voyeurism and six months for disorderly conduct.
Bleday Homers, But Wahoos Fall 5-2 To Mississippi
June 4, 2021
The Blue Wahoos were two outs from being shut out for the first time this season.
JJ Bleday ensured it didn’t happen.
The touted outfielder blasted a 98-mph fastball off the right-field scoreboard – a 387-foot, 2-run bomb – that provided a measure of ninth inning solace in the Blue Wahoos 5-2 loss Thursday against the Mississippi Braves at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A crowd of 4,555 on the season’s third Pensacola Mullets Night, complete with the uniforms and logo change, had watched four M-Braves pitchers silence Pensacola’s offense unlike any prior game until the final inning.
Up stepped Bleday. Out went the two-strike pitch from Daysbel Hernandez, much to the crowd’s delight. They had seen just two previous Mullets hits.
It was Bleday’s second home run with Pensacola, both in this ballpark.
Bleday, the fourth overall draft pick in 2019 by the Miami Marlins, has collected three hits and reached base four times in the past two games. It’s been the positive aspect from back-to-back losses, after the Blue Wahoos had a five-game home win streak.
Opportunities Thursday were missed earlier in the game when Pensacola (16-11) had five base runners through five innings.
The M-Braves (14-13) got their first three runs on two-out hits. In the first inning, starter Jeff Lindgren retired the first two batters, but M-Braves touted catcher Shea Langeliers, who went 4-for-5 Wednesday with three homers, singled to start the production.
CJ Alexander then followed with a RBI double in the left-center gap.
In the third inning, the M-Braves Justin Dean led off with a walk, stole second and scored on CJ Alexander’s two-out single.
The M-Braves manufactured another run in the fourth inning after Wendell Rijo reached on a fielder’s choice, then scored on Dean’s two-out double.
Their other two runs were emphatic.
Rijo left no doubt in the sixth when blasting Pensacola reliever Dylan Bice’s fastball 442 feet over the left center wall into the water for a two-run homer.
In the stands, however, the night had plenty of activities with the first “Wahoo Waddle” as part of Thirsty Thursday. Adults of legal age were able to sample a variety of beverage specials at kiosk stands throughout the concourse area.
The crowd batted giant beach balls in the stands to start the game.
For the first time at the stadium, it became a venue for the annual Pensacola stop with the Troy University athletic department.
Troy head football coach Chip Lindsey and women’s basketball coach Chanda Rigby, along with men’s basketball coach Scott Cross visited as part of Troy’s Trojan Tour. They had food and visited with a group of Troy supporters on the Dignity Memorial Deck above the left-field corner during the game.
In addition, the Navarre High baseball team had a 250-member group sitting in Sections 115 and 117 along the third-base line.
The Blue Wahoos, who lead their division in the Double-A South, will try to even the six-game series on Friday night with left-hander Will Stewart starting against the M-Braves AJ Puckett.
Riley Mahan and Jerar Encarnacion had the other Pensacola hits Thursday, both singles.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
Escambia Records Two New COVID-19 Deaths, 11 More Cases
June 4, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED REPORT. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were two additional COVID-19 deaths and 11 new cases reported on Thursday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 36,650 (+11)
Non-Florida residents: 3,704
Recovered: 34,324*
Total deaths: 706 (+2)
Long-term care facility deaths: 287
Current hospitalizations: 17
Number of tests reported last day: 363
Percent positive reported last day: 3.0%
Percent positive reported last week: 4.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 27,488 (+14)
Cantonment: 3,296 (+1)
Century: 1,186
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 497
McDavid: 218
Bellview: 60
Walnut Hill: 58
Perdido Key: 22
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,579 (+17)
Non-Florida residents: 261
Total deaths: 291
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 920*
Number of tests reported last day: 402
Percent positive reported last day: 4.1%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,872 (+6)
Navarre: 3,826 (+4)
Gulf Breeze: 3,405 (+3)
Pace: 1,527 (+3)
Jay: 562 (+1)
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,329,867
Florida residents: 2,286,332
Deaths: 36,973
Hospitalizations: 95,607
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Joan Elaine Brooks
June 4, 2021
Joan Elaine Brooks, beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away and went to her heavenly home on June 2, 2021, at the age of 77.
Mrs. Brooks was born on January 22, 1944 and was a lifelong resident of McDavid, FL. She was a devoted member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church all of her life, including teaching Sunday School and loving on the babies in the nursery. She also had a passion for her animals and flowers. Above all else she was a family woman who loved nothing more than to be surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is preceded by her father and mother, Rupert and Idell Black, brother, Dowlin Black, sisters, Betty Harrelson, Nelda Seal and a son, Keith Brooks.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 46 years, Ed Brooks of McDavid, FL; children, Kathy Ozmore (Ozzie), Robbie Castillow (Daphne), Robin Ball (Scott), Brad Brooks (Miranda), Lisa Brooks, Johnny Brooks (Abby); grandchildren, Tyler Brooks, Tayler Ehrhart (Dustin), Myles Brooks, Tyler Brooks (Britany), Jordan Castillow, Tanner Brooks (Morgan), Dakota Brooks, Kendall Castillow, Bailey Castillow, Desmond Williams, Rhiannon Brooks; great grandchildren, Allison Brooks, Kaya Brooks, Jaxson Brooks, Jayce Brooks, Braelyn Brooks, Manual Brooks, Lilly Brooks, Jamison Brooks; sisters, Christine Truesdell, Lucelle Burroughs, Barbara Quadrini, Frances Black; special cousins, June Capps (Andy), Dexter Truesdell (Laura); best friend, Shirley Black and her Schatzi.
Visitation will be at 2:00 PM until the service begins at 3:00 PM Sunday, June 6, 2021 at Ray’s Chapel Church in McDavid, FL; with Rev. Nathan Brown and Rev. Dexter Truesdell officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons; Tyler Brooks, Tanner Brooks, Myles Brooks, Dakota Brooks, Dustin Ehrhart and Jordan Castillow.
ECSO: Man Exposed Himself To Multiple People, Including Two Juveniles, At Adventures Perdido River
June 3, 2021
A 58-year old Cantonment man has been charged with allegedly exposing himself to five people, including two underage juveniles, at Adventures Perdido River in Cantonment.
Graig Alex Griffin was charged with two counts of felony lewd lascivious exhibition in the presence of victims under 16 and three first degree misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure.
A group of people was walking through the parking lot from the river to their car when they were approached by the owner and told they needed to pay a fee of $2 per person. The victim stated he did not understand why he was being asked to pay when they had already paid $20 to park, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
A group of four to five other males approached the victim and his party and told them they needed to leave. An argument ensued, and Giffin pulled down his swim trunks and exposed his genitals in front of a group of adults and juveniles, according to an arrest report.
Deputies reported finding Griffin intoxicated and drinking a beer. He told them he took it upon himself to assist the owner in escorting people off the property. Griffin said that after a member of the other group made a threat, he unzipped his swim trunks and stuck his fingers out. He denied exposing his genitals.
Multiple witnesses told deputies that Griffin did expose his genitals, and Griffin was taken into custody. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $23,000 bond.
Rain Chances Are On The Rise
June 3, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Light east wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Cantonment Cowboys Football And Cheerleading Registration Underway
June 3, 2021
Registration is open for the Cantonment Cowboys football and cheerleading seasons.
In-person registration for ages 5-14 is available every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. at the ballpark, 681 Well Line Road.
Online registration is also available by clicking or tapping here.
Florida Budget Includes $2.5 Million For The Bluffs Industrial Site In Cantonment
June 3, 2021
The Bluffs project in Cantonment will receive $2.5 million from Florida’s $101.5 billion 2021-2022 budget signed Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Announced in late 2015, The Bluffs was envisioned as the home of up to 60 new industrial and manufacturing companies. The 6,000 acre master-planned development area includes about 1,700 acres of land that can be developed in an area east of Highway 29 bordered by the Escambia River to the east, Becks Lake Road near International Paper to the north, and the University of West Florida to the south.
The $2.5 million in new funding for the state will pay for an entrance drive and upgrades at the multi-leg intersection of Chemstrand Road, Old Chemstrand Road, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s entrance drive, and Ascend Performance Materials entrance drives to the plant, and to the land adjacent to the properties. The funds will be used for planning, engineering, design and construction.
The Bluffs is predicted to support 11,000 direct and indirect jobs with total wages of $7 billion.
New State Budget Includes $468K For Century Water Well Upgrades
June 3, 2021
The $101.5 billion budget signed Wednesday by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis includes funding for water well upgrades in Century.
The exact amount included in the Florida’s 2021-2022 budget for the Century water well project is $468,453 with no required matching funds.
Century has three water wells — two provide drinking water to the residents of Century and one provides water exclusively to the Century Correctional Institution.
The first well on Blackmon Street and was constructed in 1963 with a pumping capacity of 400 gallons per minute. The adjacent elevated tank has a capacity of 100,000 gallons.
The second well is on Academy street and was constructed in 1983. It has a pumping capacity of 500 gallons per minute and an elevated tank with a half million gallon capacity. The well had been out of service for over a year before being placed back in service in August 2020 only to fail again. As of June 2, it remained out of service.
The third well was constructed at the prison in 1983 and can pump 400 gallons a minute with 200,000 gallon elevated storage tank. The well failed in May 2020, and the water supply to the prison was restored through an interconnect to Central Water Works.
As of earlier this year when Century asked for state help, the town had spent $353,360.47 so far for repairs to the three wells and the interconnect to Central Water Works. The funding in this year’s state budget includes $107,000 for repairs and wellhouse rehabilitations at the Academy Street well, $90,00 for repairs at the Blackmon Street well, and $210,350 for work at the prison well and a permanent generator.
The money was part of local funding requests submitted by Rep. Michelle Salzman and Sen. Doug Broxson.
Pictured: Water flows into the Century Correctional Institution in May 2020 following the failure of a Century water well. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
