McDavid Motorcyclist Killed In Pine Barren Road Crash
July 22, 2023
A single motorcycle crash claimed the life of a McDavid man Friday evening.
The 47-year old man was southbound on North Pine Barren just south of Victor Road about 6:40 p.m.when he lost control of his 2016 BMW motorcycle. The motorcycle traveled onto the shoulder of the road. He re-entered the roadway, traveled across both lanes and onto the opposite shoulder before crashing into the woodline.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash near the Christian Home community.
There were no other vehicles involved and no witnesses to the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Heat Advisory For Saturday; Good Chance Of Scattered Thunderstorms
July 22, 2023
Another heat advisory is in effect with heat index values (the “feels like” temperature) expected ast high as 110 degrees on Saturday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 93. Heat index values as high as 110. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 86. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 94.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 94.
Second Pedestrian Hit On North Century Boulevard Has Passed Away
July 22, 2023
The second Brewton woman struck by a vehicle July 6 in Century has passed away.
Jessica Ann Mathis, 34, passed away this week at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Jenny Theresa Ackerman, 53, passed away the day following the crash.
Both were walking across a North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) construction zone near Rudolph Street, in front of the Vallarta restaurant, about 8:30 p.m.. It is commonplace for restaurant patrons to park across the four-lane highway at an abandoned building and walk across the road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 36-year old Flat Rock, Alabama, man was traveling southbound when he noticed the pedestrians walking across the road. He attempted to swerve and avoid a collision but struck Mathis.
Troopers said Ackerman then entered the roadway to render aid, and was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a 71-year old Brewton man. FHP said he failed to see the woman.
Both drivers and three passengers — ages 1, 7 and 35 — in the pickup were not injured.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS, Flomaton MedStar EMS, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, MedStar Air Care helicopter and ShandsCair helicopter responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Killed In Quintette Road Crash
July 22, 2023
The person killed in a single vehicle rollover crash Friday evening on Quinette Road in Santa Rosa County has been identified as a Cantonment man.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 46-year old man lost control, and the vehicle rolled over into the woodline, coming to rest on its roof.
The vehicle crash was reported about 7:40 p.m. near the Santa Rosa Shooting Center in the area of Wallace Lake Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol continued their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Man Facing Drug Trafficking, Possession Charges After Fleeing From Traffic Stop
July 22, 2023
A Cantonment man was arrested on multiple charges after he jumped out and ran following a traffic stop Friday afternoon.
Willie Edward Brown, 39, was charged with fleeing and eluding, methamphetamine trafficking, cocaine possession, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies tried to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Burgess Road and Oakfield Road. They said Brown fled on foot, but he was quickly captured by K-9 Maddox and Deputy Beaty. The ECSO said cocaine was also located in his vehicle.
Brown remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $61,500.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Underway; Florida’s Holiday Starts Monday
July 22, 2023
Alabama’s back to school sales tax holiday is underway though midnight Sunday.
The state’s 4% sales tax is waived. Some municipalities and counties will also waive their local taxes.
Exempt items include:
- Clothing priced at $100 or less per article;
- School supplies valued at $50 or less per item;
- Books that cost $30 or less per book; and
- Tablets, laptops, computers and printers with a selling price of $750 or less.
In the North Escambia area, the Town of Flomaton did not inform the state that they would participate in the holiday.
The back to school sales tax holiday in Florida begins Monday, July 24 and continues through August 6.
Rocket City Blasts Past The Blue Wahoos 10-5
July 22, 2023
Patrick Monteverde has normally set a tone for Blue Wahoos pitching with his presence on the mound.
This time, however, it signaled the start of a rough night in several ways.
Playing as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok as part of a duel of teams transforming into their Copa de la Diversion identities, a quick first-inning deficit eventually ballooned with relief pitching woes in Rocket City’s 10-5 victory Friday before a near-capacity crowd (4,851) at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
After the Blue Wahoos won the first three games of this series, Rocket City wore its Lunaticos uniforms in the Southern League’s first matchup with both teams honoring the game’s Latin American heritage. The moniker change went well for the visitors.
Rocket City sprayed 14 hits against five different Pensacola pitchers, including big games from Tucker Flint, who went 4-for-6 with four two RBI and four runs scored, plus Jose Gomez, who was 3-for-5 with a single, double, triple and two RBI. The Trash Pandas also benefited from 10 walks allowed by Blue Wahoos pitchers.
In making his 15th start this season, Monteverde had a rare lapse of control and too many pitches that resulted in hard contact. He was unable to finish the fifth inning with his team trailing 6-2. He entered the game as the top pitcher in the Southern League and among the best across all minor league levels with an 8-1 record and 1.91 earned run average.
Friday, however, he gave up three first-inning hits and two runs. He finished allowing eight hits – matching a season high — three walks, three strikeouts. His only rougher night was May 28 when he pitched just three innings and gave up six runs on the road against the Mississippi Braves.
In all other games, Monteverde yielded just three-or-less runs, including nine starts in 2023 with only one or zero runs allowed.
Friday’s outing began in a rocky way. With one out, he yielded a double and single, then a sacrifice fly. Flint followed with a run-scoring triple. Before he was lifted in the fifth inning, Monteverde’s two walks in the fifth inning helped load the bases, leading into a three-run rally that included a steal of home on a double steal.
The Blue Wahoos had their biggest moment in the bottom of the inning. With two out, none on, Nasim Nuñez singled and scored on Miami Marlins outfielder Avisail Garcia’s moon-shot homer, which was his first hit since joining the Blue Wahoos on an injury rehab assignment.
Troy Johnston continued his torrid production by following with a double and scoring on Will Banfield’s single, cutting the deficit to 6-5 and momentarily changing the game’s momentum.
Johnston finished 3-for-5 to pace Pensacola hitters and raise his batting average to .288.
Rocket City answered against the Pok-Ta-Pok bullpen with three runs in the seventh and tacked on another in the eighth to blow open the game.
It spoiled a Giveaway Friday where the first 1,000 fans received a commemorative poster from game sponsor Pepsi, honoring the Blue Wahoos’ first-half win in the Southern League South Division and automatic berth into the playoffs.
The Blue Wahoos will try to clinch the series win on Saturday with heralded prospect, lefthander Jake Eder (1-1, 4.74 ERA), making his fifth start on his injury comeback quest against Rocket City’s Jack Kochanowicz (4-5, 5.72).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
ECUA Proposing Water, Sewer, Sanitation Rate Increases, Plus New Monthly Recycling Fee
July 21, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is proposing across the board rate increases for water, wastewater and sanitation services, plus a new monthly fee for customers that choose to recycle.
For sanitation, ECUA is proposing a 3.5% rate increase, raising the standard monthly rate for a 90-gallon container from $27.67 to $28.46. A $3 monthly fee for recycling customers is proposed, along with reduction of the cost of an extra garbage can from $4.60 to $2 per month. The $3 recycling fee is projected to generate $1.8 million for the Materials Recycling Facility.
ECUA is proposing a 4% rate increase for water and 6% for wastewater.
The ECUA board will consider the rate increases at their next meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. The board could decide to approve, reject or change any of the rates at that time.
ECUA customers have had optional curbside recycling at no charge since 2009. The current recycling facility (MRF) has been open since 2016.
ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers previously said residents putting items that can’t be recycled in the ECUA program into the recycling can has been a major problem, leading to the consideration of a recycling fee.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Abusing 5-Year Old At Head Start Site
July 21, 2023
A Cantonment woman was charged with felony child abuse that occurred while she was employed as a teacher at a Head Start program site in Escambia County, according to authorities.
Cheyenne Nikole Kenny, 23, was booked into the Escambia County Jail this week on the third degree felony charge and released on a $5,000 bond.
According to an arrest report, Kenny kicked a 5-year old student in the leg before dragging her across the room and throwing her down on a sleep mat. The report states video exists of the alleged incident, which occurred in March 2023.
While the exact location of the alleged abuse was not released, the State Attorney’s Office identified it as a Head Start program.
30,000 Pounds Of Food, 350 Backpacks To Be Distributed Saturday Morning In Gonzalez
July 21, 2023
A food and school backpack distribution will be held Saturday, July 22 in Gonzalez.
The event begins at 8 a.m, with line up no earlier than 7:30 a.m., at the Gonzalez Methodist Church at 2026 Pauline Street. The event will continue while supplies last. There will be 30,000 pounds of food, 350 backpacks filled with supplies and socks, and a limited supply of $10 gift cards for last minute supplies.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, the Gonzalez Methodist Church and other community partners are sponsoring the event, which is open to all in need with no eligibility requirements.
“We understand that going back to school is a struggle for many families, so during our Fall Food Distribution, we are also giving away backpacks, courtesy of Ascend Cares, State Farm Tyler Kercher, Kevin Stephens, and Jubilee Church. Along with our food distribution, we want our families to get a good start for the new school year,” Salzman said.
Pictured: A similar distribution was held last July at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
