Cantonment Rotary Club Awards $22,000 In Scholarships
July 6, 2023
Sixteen Pensacola State College stellar students recently received a total of $22,000 in Cantonment Rotary Club scholarships.
The Ike and Carolyn Hicks Terry Music Endowed $1,500 Scholarships recipients were Ezra Baker, Sienna Hudak, Deelia Warfield, Elijah Spann, Gracie Collins and Francisco Segovia.
Receiving $1,000 Vocational I Endowed Scholarships were Dereck Alred and Myiesha Hartley.
Cathy Simpkins, Samantha Goodloe and Quashanekia Sims were awarded $1,000 Vocational II Endowed Scholarships.
William Goss, Robert Clarke and Travis Rentschler each were awarded $2,000 Ted Ciano Vocational Endowed Scholarships.
Maria Heal and Jessica Gonzales each received a $1,000 Legal Assistant Endowed Scholarship.
Since 1991, the Rotary Club has provided Pensacola State students with over $80,000 in scholarships.
In its 75th year serving the community, the Cantonment Rotary Club has six endowed scholarships with the PSC Foundation ─ Cantonment Rotary Club Culinary Endowed Scholarship, Cantonment Rotary Club Ike and Carolyn Hicks Terry Music Endowed Scholarship, Cantonment Rotary Club Ted Ciano Vocational Endowed Scholarship, Cantonment Rotary Club Vocational I Endowed Scholarship, Cantonment Rotary Club Vocational II Endowed Scholarship and the Cantonment Rotary Club Legal Assistant Endowed Scholarship. The six endowments total more than $164,200 and will support Pensacola State students into perpetuity.
Since 1999, the Cantonment Rotary Club has donated $62,253.25 to the College for student scholarships.
Ike and Carolyn Hicks Terry Music Endowed Scholarship recipients ─ saxophone player Ezra Baker and guitarist Sienna Hudak ─ also performed at the luncheon.
Incumbent Tax Collector Scott Lunsford Prefiles To Seek Reelection
July 6, 2023
Incumbent Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford has prefiled to seek reelection as a Republican in 2024.
Lunsford was first elected in 2016.
Another Day Of Showers And Thunderstorms In The Area
July 6, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 92. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 90. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 91. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 92. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 89. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 88. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 89. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Man Charged With Fleeing Police In The Same Bullet-Riddled Vehicle Found Previously In Bratt
July 6, 2023
A vehicle found abandoned with bullet holes in Bratt later resurfaced in Century, and the driver that day has been charged with fleeing from law enforcement.
On June 7, the black Dodge Charger was found riddled with bullet holes on the roadside next to a field on Cecils Road just off North Highway 99, near a Bratt-Davisville Water System water tower. The driver was later located elsewhere.
One June 15, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spotted the vehicle on North Century Boulevard at East Highway 4. Deputies said the driver was positively identified as 41-year old Robert Edward Lowrey of Atmore. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but Lowrey sped off at a high rate of speed on Hilltop Road, according to the ECSO. The deputy located the vehicle still running and parked in the middle of the road in front of Lowrey’s girlfriend’s house.
Crime scene stickers still surrounded the bullet holes on the exterior of the car.
Lowrey’s gray HeyDude shoes were left at the scene with blood still on them from the shooting and his snapback hat was found in the woodline near the vehicle, an arrest report states.
The deputy was unable to locate Lowrey after searching the area, and a warrant was issued. He was later arrested on a felon charge of fleeing and eluding before being released on a $15,000 bond.
Eder Leads Wahoos To 3-1 Victory Over Shuckers
July 6, 2023
Jake Eder’s first start in Pensacola since 2021 resembled so many of the superlatives he produced in the past.
The Blue Wahoos bullpen followed the same lead, too.
Eder, who was one of the top pitching prospects in Minor League Baseball before two major injury setbacks, continued his progression with five scoreless innings, including a bases-loaded escape that became pivotal in the Biloxi Shuckers a 3-1 victory Wednesday.
“It’s good to be out here competing again,” said Eder, who had Tommy John elbow surgery in 2021, then suffered a foot injury in spring training in March when he was slated to join the Blue Wahoos roster on opening day. “I am getting better every start and I am going to keep getting better.
“It’s been almost 22 months since I made my first rehab start (in June) in Jupiter and to be able to go back out and feel the fans, feel the energy, get the adrenaline going and compete… I have been waiting a long time to do that.”
A large crowd (4,567) at Blue Wahoos Stadium saw Eder allow just one hit in five innings. He threw 85 pitches, 48 for strikes, and overcame five walks.
His outing was highlighted after allowing three consecutive walks to start the second inning. He then got a pair of flyouts framed around a strikeout to end the threat.
From that point, he was dominating, facing just one above the minimum batters in the last three innings.
“That is the mental game right there. Just stay relaxed and get more relaxed than I was,” he said. “I just threw one pitch at a time. That’s the mental side of getting through innings like that.”
The trio of relievers who followed were equally effective. Eli Villalobos pitched a scoreless sixth inning, then Zach McCambley followed with five strikeouts while allowing one run in his two innings.
In the ninth, closer Jefry Yan recorded his eighth save. After plunking a batter with two outs, the lefty coaxed a ground out to end the game.
Yan then stayed and signed autographs for all the kids who lined the tunnel entrance from the dugout.
The Blue Wahoos got a solo home run from Cody Morissette in the third inning. Morissette then drew a bases-loaded walk for another RBI in the eighth inning.
Catcher Will Banfield reached on a twin error in the sixth inning and scored on a José Devers RBI single.
From that point, the Blue Wahoos relief corps was as strong as desired to seal the victory.
Eder, ranked the No. 4 prospect in the Miami Marlins system by MLB Pipeline, made his first appearance in Blue Wahoos Stadium since August 13, 2021 when he worked 3.2 innings against the Montgomery Biscuits. He allowed just one hit in the game.
It followed his appearance in mid-July that year in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
He was later placed on the injured list and it led to the Tommy John surgery.
“Been a long way back,” he said.
The series continues Thursday against the Shuckers with Mullet Thursday with Pensacola taking on their alternate identity as the Mullets and wearing their specialty jerseys
Pensacola will have M.D. Johnson (1-2, 5.23 ERA) on the mound against Biloxi’s Tobias Myers (4-3, 6.10 ERA).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Major Project Will Totally Rebuild The Entire I-10, Highway 29 Interchange
July 5, 2023
A major reconstruction project is planned to begin in 2024 to completely rebuild the I-10 and Highway 29 interchange.
It will include construction of all-new I-10 travel lanes and about a dozen bridges over six years.
The project includes the following shown on the map above (the numbers correspond to the map, click to enlarge):
- Construction of six new main lanes on I-10 through the center of the interchange, requiring six new bridges.
- Five existing I-10 bridges will be converted and one new bridge will be constructed for ramps.
- Remove the I-10 loop ramp from I-10 to northbound Highway 29.
- Construct extended two-lane ramps east of the interchange.
- Replace the existing North Palafox and CSX bridges to accommodate widening of I-10.
- Modify the Highway 29 at Dairy Road intersection to allow eastbound and westbound traffic to I-10 from Diamond Dairy.
- Construct stormwater ponds (shown in blue on the map above).
The first steps of planning the massive project started in November 2005. Construction related contracts are expected to be awarded by the end of this year.
Noise walls will be constructed along I-10 to separate the roadway from the Hope Manor, Oak Forest/Lost Creek, Robins Ridge and Willow Tree Acres neighborhoods.
FDOT just completed a $6.3 million project to resurface Highway 29 from Brent Lane to north of I-10, upgrade traffic signals and make Americans With Disability Act improvements.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
It’s Blue Angels Air Show Week; Here’s The Complete Schedule
July 5, 2023
It’s time for the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show, with events each day through Saturday. The elite U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline all events which culminate on Saturday, July 8, with the official Air Show.
In addition to the Blue Angels, there will be a host of world-class aerobatic performers, as well as interactive exhibits, military recruitment stations, and a Blues Beachside Bazaar vendor market on the ground.
“Breakfast with the Blues,” kicked off the week Wednesday morning when the Blue Angels arrived and circled overhead to mark the show’s coordinates and center points along Pensacola Beach.
On Thursday, July 6, at 2 p.m., the Blue Angels will hold a practice show over Pensacola Beach.
Friday, July 7, is the Pensacola Beach Air Show dress rehearsal where flight demonstrations and civilian aerobatic performances begin at approximately noon, with the Blue Angels overhead at 2 p.m.
Saturday, July 8, marks the official Pensacola Beach Air Show and follows exactly Friday’s dress rehearsal schedule.
Starting about 11 a.m., prior to the official waivered airspace closure signaling the start of the show on Friday and Saturday, expect to see:
- Pilot Julian MacQueen flying his vintage 1943 Grumman Widgeon seaplane overhead.
- Pilot Gene Valentino flying his ICON A5 Amphibious light sport plane.
- U.S. Coast Guard pilot Lt. Cmdr. Mark Currier, from the Aviation Training Center in Mobile, flying his HC-144 Ocean Sentry large turbopop aircraft.
- Training Squadron Ten (VT-10) from NAS Pensacola in a formation fly-by in their T-6 Texans aircraft.
- VeriJet, a private airline, will fly by in a three-ship formation of Cirrus SF-50 Vision Jets.
- Navy pilot Tanner Matheny will be flying over in his 1946 North American Navion airplane named Olivia.
- U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) demonstration from the back of a HH-60J Blackhawk helicopter piloted by Lt. Travis Rhea.
Then, at approximately noon Saturday only, event-goers will be asked to stand as actor and singer Kara Kimmer performs acapella The National Anthem to mark the official start of the Pensacola Beach Air Show.
Next up, look high in the sky as the Red Bull Air Force team will kick things off with a synchronized flag-carrying skydiving formation, landing at the show center next to the Pensacola Beach Pier. New to the air show this year, the Red Bull Air Force team is assembled from the most accomplished aviation experts on the planet who continually push the limits of human flight.
Following that, the Veteran’s Flight team in their bright yellow, vintage World War II-era biplanes, will be making several passes over Casino Beach. Organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, about a dozen Stearman pilots from all over the Southeast are flying in the show to pay tribute to all WWII and Korean War vets.
Next in line, another new addition to this year’s air show is MiG-17F pilot Bill Culberson with Fighterjets Inc. Born the son of an Air Force fighter jet pilot who also joined the Air Force, Culberson has been in love with military aviation as long as he can remember. His classic 1950s-era MiG-17F can maintain 8g turns with a max speed of 715 mph.
Following that, pilots Ken Rieder and Adam Baker with Redline Aerobatic Team take to the skies at approximately 12:45 p.m. in their signature red and black planes to perform opposing stunts, inverted maneuvers and fun formations directly overhead.
Hang onto your hat as pilot Skip Stewart wows the crowds next with his high-skill passes and jaw-dropping maneuvers from his famous red, white and black-checkered bi-plane, Prometheus. Don’t miss his signature inverted ribbon-cutting pass over the Pensacola Beach Pier.
Following Skip Stewart, at approximately 1:05 p.m., there will be a brief 15-minute window for spectators to cool off and take a dip in the Gulf before lifeguards clear the water again.
Then, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Red Bull Air Force team is back again, creating a visual spectacle like no other. Consisting of helicopter pilot Aaron Fitzgerald, aerobatic pilot Kevin Coleman in his Extra 300 SHP plane, and the Red Bull Air Force jump team – the trio will perform a joint aerial demonstration that will last approximately 25 minutes.
Look to the Gulf horizon at approximately 2 p.m. as the famous C-130J aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, followed by six signature blue and gold F-18 Super Hornets, make their way over Pensacola Beach.
For the next 45 minutes, spectators will get a glimpse of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aeronautic maneuvers like the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Double Farvel, the Vertical Pitch, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge pass, and the crowd-favorite Sneak Pass. These are just a few of the mind-blowing displays of choreographed precision flying the Navy’s flight demonstration team, and our hometown heroes, has perfected over the past 77 years.
Pictured: The 2022 Saturday show with the Blue Angels NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Charged With Sexual Abuse, Strangulation, Assault
July 5, 2023
An Atmore man was recently charged with multiple offenses after an alleged sexual abuse.
Hartwood Oliver McMillan, 33, was charged with domestic violence strangulation, first degree sexual abuse, first degree false imprisonment, third degree domestic violence assault, and second degree criminal mischief.
Atmore Police said the incident happened on Highway 31 but offered no other details.
Rainy Weather Pattern For The Rest Of The Week
July 5, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 91. Heat index values as high as 105. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 90. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 90. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 91. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 91. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 90. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
ECSO: ‘Toolbox Drug Dealer’ Arrested With Fentanyl, Meth After Highway 29 Traffic Stop
July 5, 2023
A man the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office dubbed the “toolbox drug dealer” was arrested on multiple drug charges Tuesday after a traffic stop on Highway 29.
James Clarence Davis, 52, was charged with trafficking fentanyl four grams or more, trafficking methamphetamine 14 grams or more, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, attached registration license plate not assigned, and driving with a license from another state when Florida license suspended. He was booked in the Escambia County Jail with bound set at $113,000.
An Escambia County deputy stopped Davis at the intersection of Highway 29 and Kenmore Road for a seat belt violation and an improperly registered vehicle, During the stop, ECSO K-9 Ray alerted on the vehicle.
Deputies located a Milwaukee toolbox containing an “organized drug dealer kit,”, according to the ECSO. Deputies reported finding fentanyl, meth, scales, smoking pipes, baggies, needles and brass knuckles inside the toolbox.
Photos courtesy ECSO for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
