Escambia Man Gets 20 Years For Attempted Murder At Convenience Store
May 12, 2024
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a gas station shooting that stemmed from an argument with his girlfriend.
Shannon Lee Wheat, 23 was convicted of attempted second degree murder with a firearm and shooting into a building.
An August 30, 2022, Whet opened fire and discharged approximately nine rounds into a crowded convenience store on Mobile Highway in broad daylight.
The intended victim, Anthony Westery, was struck three times, and another customer shot. Other rounds were fired through the storefront window, into the door frame, and into the ceiling of the store. The
entire incident was captured on surveillance video recorded by the convenience store.
During the investigation, law enforcement discovered the Wheat opened fire and shot at the victim over an argument about Westery parking in front of a gas pump. The argument was started by the defendant’s girlfriend when she thought Westery was going to hit her car while parking his car. The surveillance video showed clearly that the victim did not come close to hitting the girlfriend’s car, and Westery was walking away from the argument and into the store when Wheat opened fire.
Amazing Rare Sight: Northern Lights Over North Escambia Area
May 11, 2024
North Escambia area residents were treated to a rare sight Friday night. The Aurora Borealis! was visible in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties all the way to the coast.
The experience, commonly called the northern lights, was caused by an extreme solar storm.
With more opportunities to spot the show into the weekend, the best way to view the Aurora Borealis is a rural location away from city lights. Because of the sensitivity to light, phone cameras have also been proven to spot the colors better than the naked eye–just set your camera for a long night mode photo.
Photos were contributed by numerous NorthEscambia.com readers, including Chandra Rigby, Brett Sawyer, Mindy Smallwood, Terry Maden, Naomi Simpkins, Judy Gafford Fehl, Kayla Anne Avirett, Alton Wilson, Kelly Booker Bell, Autumn Walters, Angela Shiver, Courtney Rabun, Angela Wilson, Natalie Doggette, Missy Woodham, Angela Wilson, Amanda Gibbs, Stacey Cain, Kim Carroll, Mindy Smallwood, Rachel Carrow, Heather Boutwell, Wendy Moye, Melinda Kriss, Andrea West, Taylor Meacham, Jennifer Cole, Rebecca Mears, Lori Wallace, Britt Gilbert, Mandi Watcher, Amanda Burdette, Summer Payne, Matthew Kennell, Robyn Borelli, and Kristi Price.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Crashes At West Kingsfield Road Bridge
May 11, 2024
A driver crashed at the West Kingsfield Road bridge over Eleven Mile Creek Friday afternoon.
The vehicle came to rest deep in a wooded area, and the adult driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional information.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Did Your Power Go Out? Let’s Talk About Your Fridge And Food Safety
May 11, 2024
Many North Escambia area residents lost power for many hours Friday, some now for more than 24 hours, as the result of early morning storms.
And that brings food safety to mind.
The bottom line? When in doubt, throw it out.
The University of Florida IFAS Extension Service says the clock starts ticking when the power goes out.
According to UF/IFAS:
Once the inside of your fridge goes above 40 degrees, the “danger zone,” you typically you have about four hours before food starts to spoil. Freezers take longer to reach the “danger zone”. An unopened refrigerator will keep food safe for 4 hours. A full freezer that is unopened will keep food frozen for 48 hours, about 24 hours for a freezer that is half full.
Perishable foods that have been exposed to temperatures above 40° F for over 2 hours should be thrown out. Never taste food to determine its safety. If unsure of the length of time that your perishable food has been exposed to temperatures above 40° F use a food thermometer. If the internal temperature reads 40° F or above, discard the food item.
If the temperature of the refrigerator rises above 40°F (4°C) for more than two hours, you will need to discard the perishable foods listed below:
- meat, poultry, seafood
- cold cuts, hot dogs
- casseroles
- custards, pudding
- cream, sour cream
- soft cheeses, shredded cheeses, low-fat cheeses
- yogurt, milk
- eggs
- creamy salad dressings, fish sauces, hoisin sauce, opened spaghetti sauce
- cookie dough, refrigerator biscuits or rolls
- cooked pasta, rice, pasta salads
- pizza
- cut fresh fruits
- greens, cooked vegetables, opened vegetable juice
- baked or mashed potatoes, potato salad
Any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture also should be discarded. Never taste foods to determine their safety!
Foods that are safe, even if held at 40°F (4°C) or above for more than two hours, are:
- hard and processed cheeses that are properly wrapped
- grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses
- margarine that is properly wrapped
- canned or uncut fresh fruit and fruit juices (but discard if they look, feel, smell, or taste unusual)
- fresh vegetables, canned vegetables
- herbs, spices
- breads, rolls, cakes, muffins, bagels, pancakes, waffles
- peanut butter, jelly, relish, mustard, ketchup, olives
- taco, barbecue, and soy sauces
Opened jars of mayonnaise, tartar sauce, or horseradish (unless held at 50°F for more than eight hours)–then throw them away
Frozen foods that have partially or completely thawed can be refrozen if they contain ice crystals. If they have completely thawed but are still at a temperature of 40°F or below, they also can be refrozen. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the food. Although partial thawing and refreezing of these foods will be safe, the quality of some foods, especially vegetables and fruits, may be reduced. Hard cheeses, breads, and fruits and vegetables and their juices–if they look and smell normal–can be refrozen even if they have been above 40°F (4°C) for more than two hours.
One way to ensure the safety of thawed meat products that have been above 40°F (4°C) for two hours or less is to cook them immediately. Either serve the food immediately or refreeze the cooked item. Be sure to cook to the proper temperatures, checking internal temperatures with a thermometer. Refrigerate and use within two days or freeze the leftovers immediately.
Reminder: Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Is Saturday
May 11, 2024
Letter carriers to pick up tons of much-needed food donations at mailboxes across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this Saturday, May 11, as part of the Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
Residents can participate by leaving non-perishable food donations at their mailboxes on Saturday for letter carriers to collect. Bags for the donations were previously delivered, but any bag can be used.
“People right here in our Northwest Florida community – your neighbors and mine – are struggling every day to put food on the table. They do not have enough money to pay their bills and buy healthy groceries for their families,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Executive Director of Manna Food Pantries. “The Stamp Out Hunger food drive makes it possible for Manna and many of the area’s food pantries to feed thousands of children, senior citizens, veterans, families, and individuals in need in the months to come.”
Suggested healthy, non-perishable food items include canned fruit in 100% juice, canned mixed vegetables, canned chicken, canned tuna, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, whole-grain cereal), peanut butter, and/or dry beans. Residents should not donate items in glass containers or items that have been opened or homemade.
Donations will benefit local food banks and pantries in both counties, helping to ensure that families in need have access to nutritious food. Locally collected food donations will assist individuals and families served by Manna Food Pantries, Feeding the Gulf Coast, ACTS Ministries, We Care Ministries, and Warrington Emergency Aid Center.
“We are grateful to the National Association of Letter Carriers and our community for their support through this annual food drive. As our largest single food drive of the year, Stamp Out Hunger is deeply impactful for our one in seven neighbors, including 1 in 5 children right here in Northwest Florida who face the challenge of hunger,” says Michael Ledger, President & CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast. “Partnerships and community support like this food drive made it possible for Feeding the Gulf Coast to distribute more than 5.7 million meals into Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties in 2023. As we continue to see an increase in hardworking families and individuals, children, and seniors facing hunger, we are hopeful there will be strong community support this year.”
The Stamp Out Hunger food drive, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), is in its 32nd year. It is the largest one-day food drive in the country. Last year Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers collected 190,853 pounds of food from generous residents, providing 219,862 healthy meals!
New City Of Pensacola Parking Rates In Effect
May 11, 2024
The City of Pensacola has doubled parking rates.
The rate has increased from 50 cents an hour to $1 an hour.
City parking remains free on Sundays — excluding boat ramps
“The number one biggest concern from the 2023 Parking Survey was the limited amount of available parking spaces during weekend nights,” Mayor D.C. Reeves said. “Well, this is also the time when city parking is free. With the increase of visitors and traffic to our downtown, plus the fact that rates haven’t been raised in almost 20 years, it’s time to balance supply and demand.”
City parking remains free on Sundays — excluding boat ramps.
For more information on City of Pensacola parking, click here.
Saturday Weather Will Be Just Perfect
May 11, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. High near 77. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 10pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 68. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. High near 83. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Update: Power Restoration Continues
May 11, 2024
(Updated) Over 6,600 Escambia River Electric Cooperative members spent Friday night without power after storms before daybreak plunged 75% of the cooperative’s members into darkness.
Friday afternoon, over 10,000 were without power.
By 1 a.m. Saturday, there were 2,602 without power in EREC’s Escambia County territory and 4,076 in Santa Rosa County. At 2 p.m. Saturday, those numbers were down to 1,599 in Escambia County and 2,849 in Santa Rosa
Escambia River brought over 100 linemen into the area to help with restoration efforts.
“We are most likely looking at a Sunday restoration for the hardest hit areas,” EREC CEO Ryan Campbell said.
Pictured above and first below: A contract lineman crew works to replace snapped and downed EREC power poles on North Highway 99 near Walnut Hill Friday. Pictured bottom: The downed lines before restoration started. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fitterer Fantastic Again As Blue Wahoos Blank Barons
May 11, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
Evan Fitterer produced a special delivery.
Fitterer wove another gem, working six scoreless innings in near-flawless fashion, then got a pair of home runs from teammates in Pensacola’s 3-0 victory Friday night against the Birmingham Barons to wow a capacity crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Fitterer set a record for most scoreless innings (20.1) by a Blue Wahoos pitcher since becoming a Miami Marlins affiliate in 2021. In his past three starts, Fitterer, 23, a Mission Viejo, California native, has allowed just seven hits and had 15 strikeouts in the stretch.
“It’s really special for me. Obviously, it’s great to go out there and never give up runs,” said Fitterer, who threw 50 strikes in 85 pitches Friday. “To start the year and the ERA is in double digits, you want to see that go down. So, throwing 20 scoreless (innings) really helps that, so that feels good.”
The Blue Wahoos (18-13) have now opened a first-place divisional lead after taking three of the first four games from Birmingham (20-10), which entered this series as the Southern League’s top team and North Division leader.
“The mood is ecstatic,” Fitterer said. “It’s as good as you would expect. It’s a long season and everyone has their routines and that really doesn’t change whether you are winning or losing, but everyone has been happier.
“The pitchers, especially, have been happy that everyone has been throwing the ball really well.”
In a pitching duel against the Barons’ Mason Adams, the Blue Wahoos gave Fitterer a lead when shortstop Harrison Spohn hit a one-out homer in the fifth inning, his third of the season.
In the sixth inning, Joe Mack doubled home Nathan Martorella, who had reached on a swinging bunt that became a three-base throwing error. In the eighth, fellow newcomer Jakob Marsee joined with his impact – blasting a solo homer over the right field wall.
Fitterer faced his toughest situation when the Barons had runners on first and third the sixth inning. But he painted the edge of the plate with a perfectly located fastball to fan dangerous designated hitter Tim Elko, a former Ole Miss star, to end the inning.
“It was a big situation,” Fitterer said. “Sometimes, I feel like it’s a little bit easier to hit your spot when you know you have to hit it. Those are the situations I love. I love pitching in high pressure.”
The game was a sprint, completed in just two hours, eight minutes.
The Blue Wahoos will now try to clinch the series win on Saturday
Man Shot Friday Morning In Century
May 10, 2024
An adult male was shot Friday morning in Century.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the man was shot in the abdomen about 10:15 a.m. on Hilltop Road.
Spokesperson Morgan Lewis said his wounds were not considered to be life threatening.
ECSO were working to determine exactly what occurred at the home. No suspect has been named.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.