First Day Of Summer: Heat Wave Continues, Slight Chance Of An Afternoon Shower
June 21, 2022
Even though we’ve had many days in the mid to upper 90s, today is the first official day of summer (the astronomical summer on the calendar).
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 106. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Tate Showband Of The South Getting A New Band Tower
June 21, 2022
Now this will bring back some memories for a lot of people.
Construction on a new band tower at Tate High School began on Monday.
“The first tower was located on the original front sideline facing the visitor bleachers. It was put up in the mid 70’s,” District 5 Escambia County School Board member Bill Slayton wrote on social media. He was the band director for the Showband of the South from 1971 to 1987. “This tower (pictured) was put up when the new cafeteria was built and the field was turned 90 degrees.”
It is expected to take a few weeks to finish construction on the new tower.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Decline A Few Cents On Average
June 21, 2022
Florida gas prices are moving lower after oil and gasoline futures suffered big weekly drops. The national average price for regular unleaded is once again back below $5 a gallon. And for now, AAA says it looks like the state average won’t make it that high.
Florida gas prices averaged $4.81 per gallon on Monday. The state average declined seven cents last week, after reaching an all-time high of $4.89 per gallon.
The Pensacola metro continues to remain among the lowest price markets in the state. The average price per gallon in Escambia was $4.65. Monday night, the low price in North Escambia was $4.49 on Muscogee Road. In Pensacola, a low of $4.41 could be found.
“Florida drivers are finally catching a break after several weeks of rising gas prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices are following oil and gasoline futures prices, which suffered significant losses last week. The losses are being tied to last week’s rate hike from the Federal Reserve bank, sparking fears of a possible recession – which could lower fuel demand. Prices also faced resistance on reports that the Biden administration is considering possible limits on petroleum exports, in attempt to strengthen domestic supply. Petroleum exports have accelerated in recent weeks, as countries compete for fuel in what has become an extremely tight fuel market. The increased competition for fuel has contributed to rising prices.
“If this downward trend holds, gas price drops could accelerate, moving the state average back around $4.50 per gallon,” Jenkins continued. “But this fuel market remains extremely unstable, and things can change very quickly. It’s looking less likely that the state average will surpass $5 a gallon, but the driving season is young.”
Jay Royals 12U Wins All-Star Tournament
June 21, 2022
The Jay Royals won the 12U division in the recent GCGSA all-star tournament in Molino. Players are Desi Dales, Ansley Emmitt, Lani Steadham, Jayden Williard, Aubrey Hadley, Reese Shehan, Jesseca Pritchett, Tenley Smarr, Lexie Smith, Olivia Adkinson, and Melanie Kelley. Coaches are Lisa Smarr, Nicole Pritchett, Heath Shehan, Matt Mathis and Cody Emmitt. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Coast Recreation Classic Tournament This Week A John R. Jones Ballpark
June 21, 2022
The Gulf Coast Recreation Classic tournament is going on this week at the John R. Johns Ballpark on Nine Mile Road.
There are 53 recreation-based all star teams taking part from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, including teams from Northwest Escambia Baseball, Brent Baseball Youth Sports Association, NEP Baseball and the Molino Recreation Association.
“We felt there was a void in the area for local recreation-based all-star teams and wanted to give them a place to play this summer,” said Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes. “We are proud to host this many teams in the tournament this year. This is our first time hosting and it’s a big task for our department to manage, but our team has stepped up to the plate. We’re thrilled to host this tournament for the community and we hope to do it again next year.”
Games are at 5:30 and 7:15 each evening through Saturday. Admission is free.
Update: Escaped Fountain Prison Inmate Recaptured In Atmore
June 20, 2022
UPDATE: Escaped Fountain Correctional Facility inmate Bobby W. White was recaptured by a K-9 team Monday evening in the Atmore area, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Previous story:
An inmate escaped from Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore Monday.
The Alabama Department of Corrections said 59-year old Bobby W. White escaped from Fountain about 11:40 a.m. He was described as a white male, 5-feet 9-inches tall, 196 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a tan prison uniform.
White was serving an 80 year sentence out of Talladega County for first degree theft of property.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call ADOC at (800) 831-8825 or their local law enforcement agency at 911.
Seventh Arrest: Suspect Pressed Gun Into Century ‘Vicious Bar Brawl’ Victim’s Eye, ECSO Says
June 20, 2022
A seventh man has now been arrested for his alleged part in what the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office called a “vicious bar brawl” that occurred May 7 in Century. Several of the suspects are “documented criminal outlaw motorcycle gang members”, according to ECSO.
James Joseph Dixon, 27, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, was charged with two counts of felony aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and obstructing justice. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail Sunday night were he remained with bond set at $350,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he pressed a handgun into the victim’s eye, threatening to kill the victim if he talked to law enforcement.
Dixon is a documented member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club according to an arrest report.
One person was transported to the hospital following the violent fight May 7at Odom’s Bar in the 9500 block of North Century Boulevard. The victim was found outside the bar covered in blood with several injuries to his face, according to deputies.Surveillance video is below.
As NorthEscambia.com previously reported, John Percy Johnson, age 45 of Century; Bradley Scott Griener, age 31 of McDavid; Brody Luke Trainer, age 44 of Gulf Breeze; Robert Tyler Dean, age 54 of Pace; and Preston David Perry, age 31 of Pace were each charged with aggravated battery. Dean, Perry and Trainer were also charged with additional felony battery and/or assault counts. All five were released from jail on bonds ranging from $25,000 to $150,000.
A sixth suspect, 44-year old Steven R Jay Arnold of Brewton, later turned himself in at the jail on charges of aggravated battery with the use of a deadly weapon, aggravated battery for causing great bodily harm, and aggravated assault for use of a deadly weapon with the intent to kill.
The victim’s girlfriend told deputies that he was attacked by several bikers outside the bar where six or seven alleged bikers were kicking and stomping him. One allegedly pointed a gun during the attack.
The victim told investigators that he had been having an ongoing issue with “Percy Johnson” and the two ran into each other at the bar. He said Johnson told him to step outside where he was attacked by approximately five bikers wearing Outlaw motorcycle gang clothing. In addition to punching, kicking and stomping him, “one of the individuals pressed a firearm into his eyeball and stated they would kill him if he talked to the police and that not to mess with their biker family”, an arrest report states.
After the victim made a statement that he was going to sue the bar, a man believed to be the bar’s bouncer along with three or four other males began to beat him again, the report states. After the attacks, the girlfriend was approached by a white female wearing a biker vest who informed her that if she talked to law enforcement, it would “not be pretty for her”, the report continues.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office obtained search warrants and seized video recordings from the bar.
An ECSO investigator said in his report that the videos show the victim and Johnson walk outside the bar, followed by at least seven other people, most of whom were wearing insignia consistent with criminal outlaw motorcycle gangs to include the Southern Saints and Outlaws.
The altercation was captured on video (posted below), showing the victim kicked, punched, and stomped on several times by numerous individuals, the ECSO report states. The victim remains on the ground for over 15 minutes, apparently unconscious until medical personnel arrive on scene.
The victim suffered a broken arm, broken nasal cavities and lost feeling in his lower back and leg, he told deputies. He stated that when the gun was pressed into his eye, he was told “If you talk to the police, we will kill you”.
The five suspects were released from jail on bonds as follows: Johnson -$25,000; Griener – $35,000; Trainer – $150,000; Dean – $65,000; Perry – $85,000; Arnold – $65,000.
The video below has no sound.
Cantonment Man Charged With Kidnapping, Choking His Wife
June 20, 2022
A Cantonment man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and then choking his wife.
Michael Demetera Kirkland, 53, was charged with felony domestic battery by strangulation and felony kidnapping.
Kirkland allegedly picked up his wife and carried her from her residence to his residence before choking her when she attempted to leave. The victim told deputies that she was unable to breathe as Kirkland grabbed her from behind and wrapped his arm around her neck. He took her to West Florida Hospital for treatment, but she was too afraid to tell the nurse what happened, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Kirkland told deputies he went to the victim’s residence to take food to his children, but he was unable to remember all of the events until he took her to the hospital, the report continues.
The ECSO said the victim had injuries consistent with a person who has been “severely choked”.
Kirkland remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $20,000.
Florida Forest Service Southern Pine Beetle Assistance Application Period Is Open
June 20, 2022
Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program for non-industrial, private forest landowners through July 1. The program is limited to Escambia, Santa Rosa and 42 other northern Florida counties, the known range of the southern pine beetle.
To obtain an application or to learn more about the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, visit FDACS.gov/SPBPrevention.
The southern pine beetle (SPB) is one of the most economically devastating forest pests in the Southeastern United States, with periodic outbreaks destroying thousands of acres of pine timber. The last major SPB outbreak in Florida, between 1999 and 2002, caused an estimated $59 million in timber losses on over 24,000 acres.
“Pine forests are one of the most vital natural resources for Florida’s ecosystem – from clean air and water to sequestering carbon and providing home goods and other wood products,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Sixty-five percent of Florida forests are privately owned, so supporting our landowners is critical to not only reducing the risk of forest pest outbreaks but protecting livelihoods and protecting a natural resource that protects and provides for us every day.”
“Southern pine beetles are one of the most destructive insects in southern pine forests,” said Erin Albury, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. “Southern pine beetle activity is currently relatively low in Florida. We can keep it that way by taking preventative measures now.”
This Week Just Gets Hotter And Hotter Each Day; Maybe A Monday Shower
June 20, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.