After Historic Season, Northview Takes State Runner-Up Spot
May 21, 2025
The Northview Chiefs are state runner-ups after falling 11-1 to Trenton in the FHSAA Rural Class softball state championship game this afternoon near Orlando.
Northview finished their historic season at 22-7, claiming both the district and regional championships with wins over the Jay Royals. This was the first time in the history of the school that Northview made the state final four.
Trenton started the game with a 3-0 lead in the first inning before scoring four in the third and four in the fifth.
Sophomore Mikayla McAnally opened in the circle, allowing eight hits and seven runs (three earned) in four innings, striking out two and walking one.
Jamison Gilman led the team with a sacrifice bunt in the third inning to score Riley Brooks, and Avery Stuckey went 1-2.
Gilman was the only senior on this year’s roster, with the opportunity for almost the entire team to return next year looking for another trip to state.
This was the fourth state softball championship for Trenton since 2019.
Century Sets Special Election Date To Fill Seat Left Vacant By Resignation
May 21, 2025
The Century Town Council on Tuesday night set a special election to fill a vacant seat on the council.
On May 6, Councilmember Sandra McMurray-Jackson resigned from Seat 5 for personal reasons. With more than six months remaining until the end of her term in January 2027, the town charter requires that the council set a special election and appoint a replacement to the five-member body.
The special election has been set for Tuesday, July 29. If no candidate for the non-partisan seat receives one vote more than 50%, a runoff will be held on September 29. The winner will take office 10 days after certification of the election.
The qualifying period for candidates is set for June 23-25.
The town recently held a special election for mayor and another council seat to due to resignations.
Pictured: Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, attending his first council meeting after being reelected in a special election, takes notes during a town council meeting on Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Man Arrested On Meth Charges After Bratt Traffic Stop
May 21, 2025
A Century man was arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop in Bratt.
Leland David Kite, Jr., 57, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia,
According to an arrest report, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a maroon Mitsubishi Eclipse with an expired tag and no working tag light driving northbound on Highway 99. The officer initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Herbs Lane and Highway 99.
During the stop, officers identified Kite as a passenger in the vehicle. After the driver consented to a search of the vehicle, officers discovered three ripped baggies containing 10.5 grams of a clear, crystal-like substance, which field-tested positive for methamphetamine, tucked between the passenger seat and the center console, directly where Kite Jr. was seated, the report states. The baggies, the report states, were separated into small amounts indicating packaging for individual sale.
Deputies said a glass smoking pipe with residue was located in the same area. A black digital scale was found on the passenger seat, and a clear crystal shard was discovered directly under the passenger seat. Several unused clear plastic baggies were also found on the driver’s floorboard.
Kite told deputies he was unaware of any illegal narcotics in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle reportedly told officers she knew Kite Jr. had “something” illegal in the vehicle but was unsure what it was.
Kite remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning without bond due to a hold from Santa Rosa County where he was out on bond in an unrelated case.
The driver was given a verbal warning for the expired tag and driving with no driver’s license before being released.
Northview Lady Chiefs To Play For State Championship This Afternoon
May 21, 2025
The Northview Lady Chiefs will play for the for the Rural FHSAA Softball state championship this afternoon near Orlando.
Northview dominated Branford 14-6 in Final Four action Tuesday afternoon near Orlando. It was the first-ever trip to state for a Northview softball team.
The Branford Buccaneers jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first, but the Lady Chiefs answered with five in the bottom of the second and never looked back.
Northview’s five runs in the bottom of the second inning came on three hits — Addysen Bolen walked to score one run, Aubrey Hadley had a two-run single, and the Chiefs scored two runs on an error.
Northview took the lead in the bottom of the third when Daviona Randolph homered to left field, Riley Brooks singled down the left field line, and Kylee Langham drew a walk. Northview added six runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Sophomore Mikayla McAnally earned the win, allowing 11 hits and six runs in six innings, striking out six and walking one. Senior Jamison Gilman stepped into the circle for the final inning, giving up no hits while striking out two and walking none.
Mikayla McAnally and Avery Stuckey each had three hits for the Lady Chiefs. Shortstop Riley Brooks had three RBIs.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Northview will face Trenton at 1:30 EDT (12:30 locally in North Escambia) for the championship. Coincidently, Northview only state championship was in 2012 when the Chiefs football team beat Trenton.
The Lady Chiefs head into the state championship at 22-6, while the Trenton Tigers are 18-6. Twice this season, Trenton lost to Branford, the team Northview beat Tuesday, by scores of 9-6 and 6-5.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAME
Fans can watch live video on the NFHS Network for a $13.99 monthly pass (which can be canceled at any time). NorthEscambia.com will have periodic updates on our Facebook page during the game; be sure to like our page for updates.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Cantonment Highway 29 Crash
May 21, 2025
At least two people were injured in a crash on Highway 29 in Cantonment on Tuesday afternoon.
The crash happened about 5:15 p.m. near the entrance to Northgate Plaza and the Grocery Advantage. After the collision, one car then crossed the median and crashed into a utility pole.
The injured were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries not believed to be serious.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
Photos by Dylan Shipman for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Police Have Now Charged Five In Main Street Shooting Incident
May 21, 2025
A total of five suspects have now been arrested into a connection to a shots fired incident in Atmore, police said on Tuesday.
About 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, Atmore officers responded to the area of North Main and Howard Street following reports of shots fired into a passing vehicle. The Wing & Burger Box restaurant on the northeast corner of the intersection was also hit by gunfire. No injuries were reported.
Responding officers recovered a significant amount of evidence at the scene, collecting 47 spent shell casings believed to be from two different caliber firearms.
Three 17-year-old juveniles, all from Atmore, been arrested and charged as adults. Police are unable to release their names under current Alabama law.
Dexter Adams, 18, and Ryeheem Banks, 21, both of Atmore have each been charged with attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and discharging a firearm into an
unoccupied building. Both were booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Authorities said additional arrests are possible.
The Atmore Police Department is also investigating shooting incident that occurred April 26 during which multiple shots were fired into a residence in the 300 block of East School Street.
Two 17-year-old juveniles, who were also charged in May 7 shooting, have also been charged with attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling for the April incident.
Both investigations are ongoing.
Pictured top: Dexter Adams (left) and Ryeheem Banks.
Slight Chance Of A Stray Shower Today, Otherwise Mostly Sunny
May 21, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 89.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Memorial Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Rough Sixth Inning Leads To Wahoos Series-Opening Loss To Birmingham
May 21, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Through five innings and two turns complete into Birmingham’s lineup, the Blue Wahoos’ Jacob Miller was spinning superlatives.
The third trip became rocky and led to the Barons’ eventual 6-2 victory Tuesday night that began a six-game series against two co-division leaders at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
After allowing just two hits and facing only two batters above the minimum, Miller yielded three consecutive hits to start the sixth inning, then had an errant throw and bad hop change the game.
The Barons produced three runs for a 4-2 lead, then tacked on solo runs in the seventh and eighth to pull away. Birmingham used five pitchers to combine for nine strikeouts and just one earned run.
In six prior starts, Miller had not yielded more than three runs until Tuesday.
He was provided a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Kemp Alderman lined a single with runners on second and third, and a bobbled fielding play by the Barons’ right fielder Wilfred Veras allowed a second run to score.
The Barons got a run back when third baseman Jason Matthews, who was recently moved down from the Chicago White Sox Triple-A affiliate, had a run-scoring double in the third inning. It was part of his big night going 3-for-3, reaching base all four times, and scoring two runs.
In the eventful sixth inning, he led off with a double. That was followed by a pair of singles to tie the game. Veras then hit a grounder that could have been a double play, but an errant throw to first from Johnny Olmstead allowed a run to score. Jacob Gonzalez later produced a sacrifice fly to score the fourth run.
Alderman went 2-for-4 as the Blue Wahoos’ lone multiple-hit batter Tuesday. The Blue Wahoos had two runners on in the ninth inning from a pair of walks with one out, but their opportunity ended there.
These two teams split a series a couple weeks ago in Birmingham.
GAME NOTABLES
— Guitar/vocalist Al Cunningham made his first appearance this season performing the National Anthem.
— Some roster moves occurred before Tuesday’s game. Left-handed pitcher Justin King was activated from the injured list. He went on the IL on April 30. Prior to the game, he made four appearances with an 0-1 record and 3.86 ERA. Meanwhile, reliever Zach McCambley was elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville. McCambley was the longest-tenured Blue Wahoos player, first joining the team in 2021. He ranks second all-time in club history in strikeouts with 251. In 11 appearances this season, McCambley was 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA.
— The Blue Wahoos have enjoyed success against Birmingham. They entered Tuesday with a 93-68 all-time record. This year, the Blue Wahoos are playing Birmingham twice at home for the first time. The Barons will return on Aug. 12-17.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
GAMETIMES: The games on Wednesday through Saturday night will all start at 6:05 p.m. Sunday’s game will be a 4:05 p.m. start – the first late afternoon start time of season.
Roger Glenn Boutwell
May 21, 2025
Roger Glenn Boutwell, 83, of Atmore, AL. passed away on May 20, 2025 in Jacksonville, FL. He was born on February 12, 1942, in Jay, FL, to the late Desmond Boutwell and Vera Campbell Boutwell. He was a farmer for Triple B Farms and a truck driver. He loved Alabama football, fishing, skiing, and golfing. He lived life to the fullest and was the life of the party.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Donald Boutwell, and granddaughter, Kalea Brown.
Roger is survived by his wife, Deborah Pohronezny Boutwell, his children; Tami (Steve) Brown, Belynda (Jim) Cook, Jeff Boutwell, Dean (Cindy) Fournier, and Chad (Allison) Fournier, his sister, Deborah Boutwell (Larry) Patton; his grandchildren: Miranda Merz, Tyler Brown, Breanna Formby, Hunter Brown, Alexa Cook, Megan Fournier, Melanie Dobson, and Emily Hart, Larissa Trawick, Randi Jo Dixon, Savannah Jester, Darrien Fournier, Jordan Hochstetler and his great-grandchildren- Paisley Brown, Addison Formby, Tatum Formby, Hazel Merz, Watson Trawick, Scarlot Jo Trawick, and Charlie Jo Dixon.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Jay Cemetery in Jay, FL, with Bro. Matthew Dobson officiating. Interment will follow in Jay Cemetery in Jay, FL.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
Northview Dominates Branford 14-6 To Head To State Championship
May 20, 2025
The Northview Lady Chiefs are headed to the state championship.
Northview dominated Branford 14-6 Tuesday afternoon near Orlando.
The Branford Buccaneers jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first, but the Lady Chiefs answered with five in the bottom of the second and never looked back.
Northview’s five runs in the bottom of the second inning came on three hits — Addysen Bolen walked to score one run, Aubrey Hadley had a two-run single, and the Chiefs scored two runs on an error.
Northview took the lead in the bottom of the third when Daviona Randolph homered to left field, Riley Brooks singled down the left field line, and Kylee Langham drew a walk. Northview added six runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Sophomore Mikayla McAnally earned the win, allowing 11 hits and six runs in six innings, striking out six and walking one. Senior Jamison Gilman stepped into the circle for the final inning, giving up no hits while striking out two and walking none.
Mikayla McAnally and Avery Stuckey each had three hits for the Lady Chiefs. Shortstop Riley Brooks had three RBIs.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Northview will face Trenton at 1:30 EDT (12:30 locally in North Escambia) for the Rural FHSAA Softball State Championship.
We will have a complete preview on Wednesday morning, plus a link (paid, $13.99) to watch the live video from the NFHS Network. We will also be providing live score updates on Wednesday on our Facebook page.