Delayed Bellview Library Expected To Open In August (With Gallery)
June 14, 2022
The completion of the new Bellview Library is overdue, but the grand opening day is getting closer.
‘We are knocking on the door,” Escambia County Interim Administrator Wes Moreno said. “We are still waiting on some windows and such to come in.”
The $3.8 million plus library was due to open in the spring, but materials delays have pushed that date out to likely August.
“We wish it was coming together a little bit faster, but like every other project we’re doing right now, we are waiting on materials,” Moreno said. One of the biggest delays has been windows; several triangular window openings around the building are covered with plywood.
The main portion of the library will consist of a large open space that is divided into areas such as a lobby, a story time area, a youth area and an adult reading area. This large open space will provide entrances to other support spaces such as multiple study rooms, staff rooms, a computer area and a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) room. The development of the building’s façade was inspired by origami, the art of folding paper, which is why there are angles throughout the building.
“This is a long-needed amenity for the west side of Pensacola and District 1,” D1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “It’s been a longtime coming, and I’ll be proud to get it done.”
At 12,000 square feet, the library is located on about four acres at 6425 Mobile Highway, near Bellview Elementary and Bellview Middle schools. About 2,000 square feet of the structure is a former bank; the remainder is a new addition.
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NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Heat Advisory For Tuesday; Chance Of Afternoon Showers
June 14, 2022
A heat advisory is in effect again for Tuesday. The combined effects of air temperatures in the mid 90s and high humidity will result in a heat index “feels like temperature” of 105-110 degrees.
Prolonged exposure to these conditions can increase your risk of heat related injuries like heat exhaustion, cramps and heat stroke, according to the National Weather Service.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 95.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 95.
Six Charged After ‘Criminal Outlaw’ Biker Gang Beats Man During ‘Vicious Bar Brawl’ In Century
June 14, 2022
Six people have now been arrested for what the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is calling a “vicious bar brawl” that occurred May 7 in Century. Several of the suspects are “documented criminal outlaw motorcycle gang members”, according to ECSO.
One person was transported to the hospital following the violent fight at 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.
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.
The sixth suspect, 44-year old Steven R Jay Arnold of Brewton, turned himself in at the jail Monday 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.
Video below has no sound.
26-Year Old Killed In Sorrento Road Wreck
June 14, 2022
An Escambia County man was killed on a crash Monday afternoon on Sorrento Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 26-year old man was traveling westbound on Sorrento Road near Nighthawk Lane when he failed to maintain a single lane and crossed the centerline. His Chevrolet Impala collided with a Lexus RX driven by a 67-year old Pensacola woman.
The 26-year old was pronounced deceased at the scene. The woman was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
Century Man Accused Of The Battery Of An Older Adult In Wheelchair
June 14, 2022
A Century man is accused of the battery of an older adult in a wheelchair.
Phillip Blake Moore, 34, was charged with felony battery on a person 65 years of age or older.
Moore allegedly punched the victim in the side of his head, grabbed him around his neck and “slammed him in his wheelchair”, according to an arrest report.
“I located Moore inside the residence lying in his bed speaking incoherently. Due to previous dealings I have had with Moore, I know this is a normal behavior for him so I did not attempt to ask Moore any questions,” the responding deputy wrote.
The victim was able to leave the house and call for help. He refused treatment from EMS.
Moore remained in the Escambia County Jail early Tuesday with bond set at $25,000.
Woman Run Over By Her SUV When She Reportedly Tried To Save A Turtle
June 14, 2022
A woman was seriously injured Monday afternoon when she stopped to save a turtle and was run over by her own vehicle.
The accident happened about 5:10 p.m. on Jacks Branch Road just north of Annie Bell Drive.
A witness said the adult female stopped quickly in the roadway and got out of her SUV to save a turtle on the road. She apparently failed to put the vehicle in park, and it continued forward. The witness said the woman was unable to get out of the way, and the SUV rolled over her while she was in the roadway.
The woman was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital by ShandsCair medical helicopter.
The SUV continued off the roadway and down a slight hill where it was stopped near a residence.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Cantonment and Beulah stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
The outcome for the turtle was not known.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NEP 10U And 16U Win Their Divisions In GCGSA Softball Tournament
June 14, 2022
NEP Blue 10U and NEP Blue 16U softball teams both won their divisions at the Gulf Coast Girls Softball Association All-Star Tournament in Molino.
Complete tournament results for NEP were as follows:
- 8U — 4th
- 10U Blue — 1st
- 10U Gold — 2nd
- 12U — 4th
- 16U Blue — 1st
- 16U Gold — 2nd
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Recreational Red Snapper Season Begins June 17
June 14, 2022
The recreational red snapper season will start June 17 in Gulf state and federal waters off Florida and remain open through July 31 with 12 days in the fall.
“We are excited about Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent announcement of this year’s 57-day Gulf red snapper season, which is the longest we’ve had since the FWC began managing the season in state and federal waters,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Chairman Rodney Barreto.
For-hire operations that do not have a federal reef fish permit may also participate in the season but are limited to fishing for red snapper in Gulf state waters only.
Clark Duval Thompson
June 14, 2022
Clark Duval Thompson, age 71, of Atmore, AL passed away on June 14, 2022 at his residence. He was born on December 17, 1950 in Flomaton, AL to Alfred Duval and Martha Johnson Thompson. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Judy Elaine Thompson.
He is survived by his children: Courtney (Chris) Harrison of Atmore, AL, Valerie (Mychal) Reddix of Spanish Fort, AL, Shayne (Ashley) Godwin of Fairhope, AL, Blake (Marie) Godwin of Daphne, AL, Shelley (Billy) Donald of Walnut Hill, FL and Hope (Shawn) Lassiter of Atmore, AL; his brother, Wilton “Boo” (Janice) Thompson of Century, FL; his sisters: Martha (John) Sansom of Flomaton, AL, Eileen Thompson of Flomaton, AL and Patricia Thompson of Flomaton, AL; his grandchildren, Megan, Caitlyn, Hannah, Baylie, Natalie, Eli, Sydnie, Kylie, Meredith, Harper, Riley, Julian, Cam, Sebastian, Adrianna and eight great grandchildren along with his nurse and special friend, Kaitlin Morris.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Flomaton Cemetery in Flomaton, AL. Interment will follow in Flomaton Cemetery.
Willie Mae Roley Wilson “Billie”
June 14, 2022
Willie Mae Roley Wilson “Billie” was born March 6, 1934 in Halls Fork, Alabama. She was the second of seven children born to Willie Clarence and Mable Alice Johnson Roley. She passed away on June 12, 2022 in Columbia, TN. She is preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Pella Ray “Bubba” Wilson; her sister, Vivian Roley White and brothers: Clarence Roley and Tommy Roley.
She is survived by her son, Jonathan Wilson and wife Tab; Her three grandchildren: Tate Wilson, Rhett Wilson and Aliza Wilson. She is also survived by her sisters: Mildred Roley Ledkins and Ruth Roley Beasley; her brother, Donald Roley and wife Debby. Including many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL with Bro. Dan Morris officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Jonathan Wilson, Tate Wilson, Rhett Wilson, Donald Roley, Steve White and Erik Hooie.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
In Lieu of flowers, Billie requested donations be made to Sacred Selections.