Blue Angels Show: Here’s How To Get Around The Beach Today On The Trolley
July 9, 2022
To help alleviate traffic congestion for the Pensacola Beach Air Show, the Santa Rosa Island Authority is adding extra buses to the schedule on Saturday
Beginning at 6:30 a.m., the SRIA will have seven buses in addition to the three open-air trolleys running and will extend their service area to Park East until 6 p.m. Following that, the three open-air trolleys will resume normal operations until midnight.
Buses and trolleys will service passengers from Park East and Park West to Casino Beach throughout the day. Post-show, trolleys servicing Portofino Resort/Park East will be staged on Via de Luna directly across from Santa Rosa Island Authority (facing east). Trolleys servicing Park West will be staged on Ft. Pickens Road adjacent to The Sandshaker (facing west).
Due to extreme traffic and congestion buildup Saturday, trolley service to the access road stops (Grand Marlin, Radical Rides/Laguna’s, Quietwater Beach and the Boardwalk) will be temporarily suspended until 6 p.m.
The SRIA wants to remind all passengers that they will only be picked up and dropped off at designated trolley stops.
Passengers who wish to get back to their vehicles as soon as the air show ends need to be on the first fleet of buses leaving Casino Beach post show. Due to the gridlock that occurs immediately following the air show, riders should expect to wait as long as 90 minutes for the trolleys or buses to return to Casino Beach if they are not on the first trip out.
Thomas L. Silcox
July 9, 2022
, 88, of Pensacola, Florida passed away Monday, July 4, 2022 after a long battle with chronic kidney disease.
Tommy was born April 2, 1934 in Seminole, AL to Annie Givens and Henry Davis Silcox. He was one of eight children and is survived by two sisters, Alyce Emmons, and Margaret McLarin. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Tommy graduated from J.M. Tate High School and joined the Air Force right after. He served during the Korean War and spent time deployed in Japan. After his military service, the majority of his career was with International Paper, where he met the love of his life, Max Blackwell. They married in 1964, had three daughters, and were blissfully married for 43 years until her passing in 2007.
Tommy was an all-around outdoorsman and loved to hunt, fish, and camp.
He is survived by his daughters; Tina Conner (Ryan), Anita Day, and Donna Hastings (Scott); and 5 grandchildren; Taylor Rogers (Nate), Shelby Day, Payton Conner, Jaylon Conner, and Sydney Day.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Faith Chapel North at 11 a.m. with visitation at 10 a.m.
Eunice McGhee Presley-Pierce
July 9, 2022
, 85 years young, was surrounded by family in her home as she was made whole at 10am on July 1, 2022 and went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
She was born September 10, 1936 to Farrish McGhee and Pearl Barnhill-McGhee in the Alyssa community near Uriah, Alabama. As a child, her family moved to Walnut Hill, Florida. A few years later, she moved with her family to their 88 acre McGhee Homestead and farm located in Huxford, Alabama.
She shared many stories of her childhood. To earn money for school clothes, she would pick as many oranges as she ate until her skin would turn orange or rise early to pick cotton before going to school. Her Mother baked potatoes that she would put in her pockets to keep her hands warm on the way to school, which also made a great school lunch. Growing up on a farm she learned the art of planting, harvesting and putting up the freshest veggies straight from the field. And oh, what an incredible banquet spread she could prepare. Never afraid of hard work, she acquired a car from her sister, Daisy, at the age of 13 and began a career at Vanity Fair sewing…no license and under age.
She was close to all her siblings. You could catch her visiting with Daisy, running the roads with Aubrey, or going on a shopping spree with Eloise (who we affectionately called, Thelma & Louise). Dating consisted of sitting together at Huxford Pentecostal Church then Mother and Daddy following closely in the car behind on the way home. It was there that she met the dashingly handsome Fred Lee Presley. After marrying, they moved to Pensacola. It was there they lived and raised their three girls (Hayes Street…Hwy 29 Cantonment, Mississippi Circle and back to Hwy 29 home in Cantonment they had built together). Eunice & Fred were married 24 years. As a young adult, Eunice worked as a car hop on skates at a popular local ice cream and burger drive-in at the circle on the corner of Mobile Hwy and Warrington Road. She finally settled into her career as a school bus driver from which she retired, May 24, 2002 with 30 years of service. She often said that she wanted her house to be paid off by the last time she pulled her bus into the drive. She worked hard to fulfill that dream.
On March 15, 1977, Eunice married the wonderful E.D. “Bob” Pierce on his birthday. Oh, how they loved one another! They lived in Pensacola on B street until they designed and built a home together on Rebel Road. She wanted to start a petition to change the road name because she was anything but a rebel. They were married for 37 years. Her favorite hobby was fishing. Put a fishing pole in her hand and she would fish the hours away whether the fish were biting or not. Eunice was passionate about showing the love of Christ through her actions and the talent God had given her. Her face would light up and tears come to her eyes when she spoke of God using her through singing, testifying and playing the piano as she traveled and ministered with the Southern Gospel singing groups, “Faith Trio” (Eunice, Rosetta and Annie Mae) and the Gospel Harmonairs” (family group for over 40 years in ministry). She was so touched when people came to the altar to give their hearts to the Lord as she felt God using her to make a difference in the lives of others. She also enjoyed ministering and singing with her cousin Linda (who was more like a sister to her) and friend Barbara for several years. She fiercely loved her family! It didn’t stop there… You could say that she SIMPLY, UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED WELL! To know her was to know you were loved! Her biggest prayer request she had even written and put in her Bible was that her family would be saved. When asked what she would do when she saw Jesus, she said, “I just want to hug Him”. There are no words that can come close to sharing the legacy of faith and love she leaves behind. She was the example and glue that taught us how to to live, forgive and love well.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Farrish and Pearl McGhee; Husband, E.D. Bob Pierce; Sister, Daisy (Wes) Long); Brother-n-law, Jasper Stewart; Sister-n law, Shirley McGhee.
She is survived by: Anita Carol Presley (daughter), Judy Marie Presley (daughter), Reverend ReGina Gayle Presley (Robert) Bryan (daughter), James Aubrey McGhee (brother), Eloise Stewart (Sister), Four Grandchildren: Brian (Kellie) Malone, Taylor Edwards, Christina Bryan, David Bryan. Seven Great-Grand Children: Garrett, Michael, Kayleb & Jordan Malone; Mariah, Taylee & Avery Edwards. We acknowledge Kristy McRae & John Hawkins and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss her greatly. Special thanks to Ace Jones, Faye Blue, our Poarch Creek Indian family, Ensley UMC Church family, Dr. Shepherd, Regency Hospice, Synergy Caregivers, Shannon, Grace, Eunice, Addie and especially Shay and niece, Patsy, who along with the family, ministered special loving care in times of need.
Rev. Timothy Nail and Rev. Gina Bryan will be officiating her Celebration of Life service Monday, July 11th. Visitation 9:30am, Service 10:30am @ Faith Chapel North (1000 S Hwy 29, Cantonment, FL) followed by a 12-noon graveside internment at Pensacola Memorial Gardens (7433 Pine Forest Road, Pensacola, Florida).
M-Braves Walk-Off Homer Sends Blue Wahoos To 6-3 Loss
July 9, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were walked off by the Mississippi Braves for the second straight game on Friday night, falling 6-3 on a three-run home run from Drew Lugbauer in the bottom of the ninth.
Jeff Lindgren fought through shaky command to complete four innings of one-run ball, but the Blue Wahoos couldn’t solve Mississippi starter Darius Vines in the early innings. Vines struck out eight batters over 4.0 perfect innings before Norel González finally gave Pensacola a baserunner with a single in the fifth.
The Blue Wahoos finally broke through in the sixth, getting an RBI double from Griffin Conine to tie the game 1-1 and a two-out, two-run single from Victor Victor Mesa to take a 3-1 lead.
Mississippi tied the game 3-3 in the seventh as Anthony Maldonado surrendered a solo home run to Cade Bunnell, followed by a two-out RBI single from Yariel Gonzalez.
Pensacola made four outs on the bases in the span of three innings, squandering opportunities to add to their run total. Justin Maese (W, 1-4) worked out of a jam in the top of the ninth to keep the game tied before Dylan Bice (L, 1-1) walked a pair in the bottom half and served up Lugbauer’s walk-off blast.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the M-Braves on Saturday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Escaped Inmate From Atmore Prison Recaptured After Nearly A Month
July 8, 2022
An inmate that escaped from the Fountain prison in Atmore has been recaptured nearly a month later.
Inmate Edward Williams, 41, escaped from the Fountain Correctional Facility about 9:20 a.m. Sunday, June 12, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.
He was recaptured Friday morning in Birmingham.
Williams was one of three inmates reported as having escaped from Fountain within the last month. One was recaptured a few hours later by U.S. Marshals. Another inmate, Corey Daniel Gable, was reported as escaped and then recaptured, but NorthEscambia.com found that he had actually been released by mistake.
Sheriff: Cantonment Man Killed His Daughter’s Dogs By Locking Them In A Hot Car For Days
July 8, 2022
A Cantonment man is accused of killing his daughter’s dogs by locking them in a hot car for days while she was out of town.
Felton Charles Henderson, 72, was charged with felony animal cruelty causing death, pain and suffering. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $45,000.
According to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, a woman left her three dogs while she went out of town for a few days. She left behind water and food, and did everything appropriately, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“When she returned after a couple of days, she asked where her dogs were,” Simmons said. “Henderson takes her to a blue Toyota Camry, he opens the doors, and he pulls out three dead dogs.” Henderson did not say anything before gathering a few items from the garage and leaving, according to an arrest report.
The sheriff said it was apparent he locked the dogs in the car despite the summer heat over the past few days.
“You can imagine the suffering they (the dogs) probably went through,” Simmons added.
Traffic Crash Claims Life Of 23-Year Old Man
July 8, 2022
An Escambia County traffic crash has claimed one life.
About 6 p.m. Thursday, a white sedan driven by a 21-year old Pensacola man failed to yield at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Boulder Avenue. He pulled out in front of a gray Ford pickup driven by a 23-year old Pensacola man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
State troopers said the driver of the pickup truck passed away as a result of his injuries.
School Grades Are Out For Escambia County. How Did Your School Do?
July 8, 2022
The Florida Department of Education has released school grades for 2021-2022, the first full data release since 2019 due to the pandemic.
The Escambia County School District maintained an overall grade of B.
Nine schools received an A — Molino Park Elementary, Hellen Caro Elementary, N. B. Cook Elementary, Cordova Park Elementary, A. K. Suter Elementary, Pensacola Beach Elementary, Brown Barge Middle, West Florida High School, and Escambia Virtual Academy.
There were two F schools — Oakcrest Elementary and O.J. Semmes Elementary.
Warrington Middle School received an “I”, or “Incomplete” from the state. District officials are currently reaching out to the State Department of Education for clarification.
Individual school grades in Escambia County were as follows:
Tate High Guidance Counselor Ashley Turner Flies With The Blue Angels
July 8, 2022
Tate High School guidance counselor Ashley Turner had a chance to fly with the Blue Angels on Thursday.
“It was like an out of body experience; it really was,” Turner said. “He did start easy and once you do two G’s and you do three and four, and you start building your confidence. I couldn’t believe I didn’t feel bad. It was a once in a lifetime experience for sure. I’ll treasure it forever.”
Turner pulled a high of 7.4 G’s during the flight, and she did black out for a moment.
Pictured: Tate High School guidance counselor Ashley Turner flew with the Blue Angels on Thursday. Photos by WEAR 3 and NewsRadio 1620 (with framed photo below) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Increased Public Trolley Services for Pensacola Beach Air Show
July 8, 2022
To help alleviate traffic congestion for the Pensacola Beach Air Show, the Santa Rosa Island Authority is extending public transportation hours along the island on Friday, July 8, and is adding extra buses to the schedule on Saturday, July 9.
On Friday, July 8, the SRIA’s three, free open-air trolleys will begin transporting customers starting at 7:30 a.m. and extend their service to Park East, located a mile east of Portofino Resort, until 6 p.m. Following that, the regular route will resume until midnight.
On Saturday, July 9, starting at 6:30 a.m., the SRIA will have seven buses in addition to the three open-air trolleys running and will extend their service area to Park East until 6 p.m. Following that, the three open-air trolleys will resume normal operations until midnight.
On Friday and Saturday, buses and trolleys will service passengers from Park East and Park West to Casino Beach throughout the day. Post-show, trolleys servicing Portofino Resort/Park East will be staged on Via de Luna directly across from Santa Rosa Island Authority (facing east). Trolleys servicing Park West will be staged on Ft. Pickens Road adjacent to The Sandshaker (facing west).
Due to extreme traffic and congestion buildup on Friday and Saturday, trolley service to the access road stops (Grand Marlin, Radical Rides/Laguna’s, Quietwater Beach and the Boardwalk) will be temporarily suspended until 6 p.m.
The SRIA wants to remind all passengers that they will only be picked up and dropped off at designated trolley stops.
Passengers who wish to get back to their vehicles as soon as the air show ends need to be on the first fleet of buses leaving Casino Beach post show. Due to the gridlock that occurs immediately following the air show, riders should expect to wait as long as 90 minutes for the trolleys or buses to return to Casino Beach if they are not on the first trip out.