Escambia Fire Lt. John Van Matre Retires After 44 Years Of Service
April 29, 2022
After 44 years of service, Escambia County Fire Rescue Lt. John Van Matre has retired.
“For the last 21 years, I’ve had the honor of working with the best firefighters that the state of Florida knows,” Van Matre said. “Thank you to these brave individuals for giving me the opportunity to serve alongside you. Thank you to my wife, Caryn, for her love and dedication all throughout my career. I pray that God will bless our firefighters and keep them safe as they continue to serve the citizens of Escambia County. Thank you again for allowing me to serve.”
Van Matre served the citizens of Escambia County through ECFR for the last 21 years. His career in fire rescue began as a volunteer firefighter at the age of 16, serving the Ferry Pass, Brent and Ensley volunteer fire departments from 1978 until 1987. He graduated from the Pensacola State Fire Academy in June 1999 and joined the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department, fulfilling his goal of becoming a professional firefighter.
Later, in April 2021, while still serving with the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department, Van Matre was hired as one of the original 10 “part-timers” with ECFR after its inception in January 2000. Then, in July 2001, he made the full-time move to ECFR where he served mostly at the Brent Station.
During his time with ECFR, Van Matre has received numerous commendations for his service during Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina and Michael. He has also facilitated rescues and led his crew during a variety of natural disasters and regional emergencies. In 2005, he was selected as part of the first group of Urban Search and Rescue members, eventually taking over as the USAR team coordinator. In May 2008, he was officially promoted to the rank of lieutenant. From 2010-2016, he served as the State of Florida USAR Region I representative.
“Lieutenant John Van Matre has been a long-time servant of the citizens of Escambia County and a vital team member to ECFR,” said ECFR Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “We are both saddened and happy over his retirement. Over 40 years of institutional and job knowledge will be leaving the organization, however, we wish John well on his retirement and future endeavors with his wife, Caryn, and their adult children.”
Northview Lady Chiefs Close Regular Season With Big 20-5 Win Over Catholic
April 29, 2022
The Northview Lady Chiefs wrapped up their regular season with a big 20-5 win over Pensacola Catholic Thursday night.
The Chiefs had a huge fifth inning with 13 runs.
Jamison Gilman earned the win, allowing seven hits and five runs.
Gilchrist went 3-3 to lead Northview at the plate. Gilman, Emma Gilmore, Kailyn Watson and Kaitlin Gafford each added two hits. Chloe Ragsdale, Kayla Dixon, Alanna Roberson and Aubrey Stuckey had one hit apiece.
The Chiefs racked up 18 stolen bases, including four from Emma Gilmore.
The No. 3 Northview Lady Chiefs move into the 1-1A district quarterfinals on Monday against No 6 Laurel Hill.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Kimbro-Cothron Named Tate High’s Sunshine State Scholar Nominee
April 29, 2022
Raegan Kimbro-Cothron was selected as Tate’s Sunshine State Scholar Nominee based on her excellent PSAT scores, EOC scores, and her high GPA. Her participation in dual enrollment math classes and her community service hours helped push her to the top of Tate’s selection list, according to the school.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Small Chance Of Showers Returns
April 29, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Wahoos Beat By Biloxi Again
April 29, 2022
For the second straight game, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos couldn’t provide enough offense to back up a solid pitching performance in a 3-0 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers on Thursday night.
Will Stewart (L, 0-1) turned in the team’s second quality start of the season, allowing two runs on four hits over 6.2 innings, but the Blue Wahoos suffered back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 2018.
A first inning home run from Biloxi’s Freddy Zamora gave an early edge to Victor Castaneda (W, 1-1), who earned his first Double-A win for the Shuckers with 5.1 innings of scoreless, three-hit ball.
Three of Pensacola’s four hits came from Jerar Encarnacion, who raised his batting average to .366 in a 3-for-4 night. Biloxi added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh with two-out RBI hits from Cam Devanney and Jakson Reetz against Colton Hock.
Zach Vennaro (S, 2) maneuvered around an Encarnacion single in the ninth to earn the save.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biloxi Shuckers on Friday night.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Tyler Chase Ray Cloud
April 29, 2022
Tyler Chase Ray Cloud, age 18 a resident of Vance, AL died April 21, 2022 at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, AL. He was born May 28, 2003 in Demopolis, AL to Chris and Tiffany Ray. He joined the Cloud family at the age of three in Walnut Hill, FL. Chase was a vibrant child with a smile that would light up a room! In the classroom he has been described as one with a quick wit, competitive ways and a great sense of humor. His competitive ways carried over to the ball field. Although, he played several sports, his true passion was football. He and his dad, Ronnie would spend hours discussing play by play after every football game. They definitely shared a love of football. Tyler as he was known by many of his classmates was a true friend and one you could call on anytime to lift you up or help you out. To know Tyler Chase was to love him… He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by parents, Chris and Tiffany Ray and parents, Ronnie and Jessica Cloud; nine siblings, Amber (Brandon) Pierce, Ashton Ray, Destiny (Garrett) Shook, Carmyn Smith, Jessica (Trent) Freeman, Lauren (Griffin) Littlefield, Cameron Cloud, Alexia (Alex) Summerlin, and Austin Ford; grandparents, Chris and Sandra Ray, Dale and Brenda Rowland, Louise Lowry, and James and Karen Currier; he is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by grandparents, Phyllis Penton, Robert Lowry, and James Cloud.
Visitation will be held at Providence Baptist Church on Saturday, April 30, 2022 from 4:00 pm until the 5:00 pm service time with Rev. Jon Wiggins officiating. Burial will follow at Providence Cemetery.
One Injured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash In Walnut Hill
April 28, 2022
One person was critically injured in a single vehicle rollover crash Thursday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
The driver of a passenger car lost control, left the roadway, went airborne, and overturned into a field on Highway 97 just north of Wiggins Lake Road.
The driver was extricated from the vehicle by firefighters in about four minutes and airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital. There were no passengers in the vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, which occured about 2:10 p.m.
Pictured: EMS personnel arrive on scene at a crash on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mostly Nude Airbnb Renter Assaulted Disabled Man Over Age 65, ECSO Says
April 28, 2022
An Airbnb renter is facing charges after allegedly running around mostly nude and assaulting a disabled man over 65 years of age.
Stephanie Joanne Lewis, 47, was charged with felony lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of an elderly and disabled person, assault on a person 65 years of age or older, and resisting an officer without violence.
Lewis overstayed her Airbnb rental in the upstairs area of the victim’s home, according to an arrest report which states she is a narcotics user with a history of violent, erratic behavior and keeps “a collection of butcher knives” in her room.
Deputies arrived at the residence to find Lewis outside wearing “sensual/erotic clothing of the lingerie type” that left her almost naked, the report states.
The victim stated he has tried to get Lewis removed from the residence, but he struggles to get to the courthouse due to a disability from a stroke and has hired an attorney. The victim told deputies that Lewis frequently walks around naked in the common area of the home shared with other tenants. He stated that she had been throwing household items and causing a disturbance, the report states.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis threw a can of soda at the victim. He told officers that he is constantly in fear of Lewis’ behavior due to drug use, and he is unable to defend himself due to his stroke.
Lewis pulled away from deputies and refused to comply with orders during her arrest, the report continues.
She remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $3,000.
Police Seek Woman Seen On Stolen Riding Mower With Trailer Of Stolen Goods
April 28, 2022
UPDATE: SUSPECTS HAVE BEEN INDENTIFIED IN THIS CASE. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS…
The Flomaton Police Department is seeking to identify a woman seen on surveillance video riding a stolen lawn mower with a trailer load of stolen goods.
According to Flomaton Police, the lawn mower, trailer and items in the trailer seen in the photo above were all stolen from a local residence. The University of Alabama “A” in the trailer is also stolen, Flomaton police noted.
Anyone with information on the woman’s identity is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or crimetips@flomatonal.org.
Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson said the case involves multiple felonies including burglary and theft.
Northview Names Students Of The Month
April 28, 2022
Northview High School has named their Students of the Month for March. They are senior Torian Richardson and junior Charles Wood. They are pictured with principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.