Former Atmore Mayor Howard Shell Has Passed Away
August 23, 2021
Former Atmore Mayor Howard Shell has passed away at age 88.
Shell was born in Monroe County, Alabama, but his family moved to Davisville in Florida. About two years later, the family moved to Walnut Hill, and Shell’s father bought a small general store on Highway 97 just south of the modern day Ernest Ward Middle School.
Shell graduated from Ernest Ward High School, where he played football in 1950. He attended Florida State University, and served in the Korean War in the U.S. Navy. He then spent 30 years in research and development at the Chemstrand plant in Cantonment.
After his retirement, Shell was first elected to the Atmore City Council in 1984 before being appointed mayor after the death of then-Mayor Patricia McKenzie. He served a total of 22 years as Atmore mayor.
Funeral services have not yet been announced.
Suspect In Bratt Home Invasion Arrested After All-Day Search
August 22, 2021
A home invasion suspect was arrested Saturday night after a day-long manhunt near Bratt.
The home invasion was reported in the eight o’clock hour Saturday morning in the 5400 block of Still Road, just south of West Highway 4. There were no injuries reported.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and K-9’s spent hours Saturday and into Saturday night searching for the suspect.
Paul Ray Morris, age 42 of Atmore, was located by ECSO deputies and arrested shortly after 9 p.m. in the 5400 block of Still Road – at or near the location of the reported home invasion.
Morris was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 11:44 p.m. Saturday. He was charged with burglary, criminal mischief property damage, larceny from a person age 65 or older, grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $21,000.
Pictured: A manhunt followed a home invasion on Still Road near Bratt Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Murder After Victim’s Body Found In Vehicle Trunk On Highway 29 In Ensley
August 22, 2021
The body of a Crestview murder victim was found in the trunk of a vehicle on Highway 29 Saturday evening in Ensley, and the driver is now charged.
The Crestview Police Department has charged 37 year old Johnny Lee Akins, Jr. with murder in connection with an incident that occurred on East Walnut yesterday.
During the incident, Johnny Akins shot and killed a 42 year old male victim that was later identified as James D. Matthews of Holt.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Highway 29 near the Murphy Oil gas station. “They arrived to find a black male in a state of excited delirium”, according to Sgt. Melanie Peterson. The man was taken into custody a short distance away near Game Stop in the shopping center in front of Walmart and transported to a local hospital.
“He was transported to the hospital after they got control of him,” she said. “They ran the tag, and the vehicle came back that the owner of the car was suspected in a homicide out of Crestview.”
She said there were drugs in plain view “everywhere” on the seat of the car. As part of the inventory process before seizing the vehicle, the trunk was opened.
“There was a dead body there in the trunk,” Peterson said.
The investigation into the incident is continuing by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Crestview Police, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Tate Meets Pace In Kickoff Classic
August 22, 2021
The Tate High School Aggies traveled to Pace to take on the Patriots in a Kickoff Classic Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Scores were as follows:
- Freshmen – Pace 8, Tate 6
- JV – Pace 7, Tate 0
- Varsity – Pace 17, Tate 0
The Tate Aggies will kick off their 2021 regular season Friday night, August 27 as they host Pensacola High School at 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
August 22, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Aug. 28. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction- The following road closures will take place between Graffiti Bridge and Bayfront Parkway the week of Sun. Aug 22 as crews work on the 17th Avenue tie-in to the new interchange.
- Southbound lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- North and southbound travel lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction- The following road closures will take place between Graffiti Bridge and Bayfront Parkway the week of Sun. Aug 22 as crews work on the 17th Avenue tie-in to the new interchange.
During the closures, southbound traffic on 17th Avenue will be detoured to 14th Avenue using East Belmont Street. Pensacola Bay Bridge traffic destined for 17th Avenue northbound will be detoured to Ninth Avenue.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure. In addition, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures to allow construction crews to mobilize materials and equipment.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Aug. 23 through Friday, Aug. 27 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project –The inside lane will be closed between North Pace Boulevard and J Street to perform median improvements. Drivers are reminded the speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street is 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – There will be alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Aug. 23 as crews place a watermain.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Routine Bridge Maintenance from Maxwell Street to Garden Street – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 26 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Turn Lane Construction at West Roberts Road and Crowe Lane – There will be intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the intersections of West Roberts Road and Crowe Lane Tuesday, Aug. 24 through Friday, Aug. 27 as crews perform paving operations.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Aug. 28. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are anticipated traffic impacts.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River bridge 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 through Thursday, Aug. 26 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
File photo.
Blue Wahoos Get 3-2 Walk-off Win Over Shuckers
August 22, 2021
After Griffin Conine tied the game with a solo home run in the top of the ninth, Demetrius Sims blooped a game-winning single to right, giving the Blue Wahoos a walk-off 3-2 win over the Shuckers on Saturday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th, Biloxi turned to reliever Braden Webb, (L, 4-7) despite his poor numbers against Pensacola this season (8.31 ERA in 9 prior appearances). Webb’s first pitch to Conine was belted out to left, skimming over the top of the left-field wall before skipping out into the bay for a solo home run, tying the game at 2-2. Two pitches later, Brian Navarreto smashed a double off the left-field wall. With nobody out, Zack Kone was brought in to pinch run at second, and after a fly out from Riley Mahan, Sims looped a single to right, giving the Blue Wahoos a much-needed win and a 3-2 series edge over the Shuckers heading into Sunday’s finale.
Jeff Lindgren—who did not factor into the decision—turned in another fine outing, throwing five innings of one-run ball. The right-hander allowed four hits and only walked one batter while striking out seven, which was one shy of tying his career high. The only run he allowed came on an RBI single from Gabe Holt in the second inning in which Korry Holt had been running on the pitch from first. Outside of the second, the Shuckers only had one runner in scoring position for the rest of his outing.
Offensively, Pensacola struggled to find an answer for Jesus Castillo. The former Mobile BayBear twirled six shutout innings and only allowed three hits while striking out two. Saturday was Castillo’s first quality start since July 29 against Montgomery.
Andrew McInvale was the first name called out of the bullpen for the Wahoos. After a perfect sixth inning, McInvale returned to the mound in the seventh but failed to retire a batter. After a walk, a two-base throwing error from the pitcher, and another walk, Jefry Yan was brought into the game with nobody out.
Holt dropped a safety-squeeze bunt right back to Yan, whose toss to home was too high as Korry Howell slid under the tag to make it 2-0 Biloxi. After that, Yan was lights out retiring five out the next six without giving up a run.
In the bottom of the seventh, Riley Mahan belted a solo home run off Cody Beckman to give the Wahoos momentum after stalling on offense for most of the game. For Mahan, it was his first home run since August 1 against the M-Braves.
Colton Hock (W, 2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the Wahoos, keeping the score 2-1 and giving Pensacola a realistic chance to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth. Pensacola is now only three games back of Montgomery for the second and final playoff spot for the inaugural Double-A South Championship Series. Montgomery and Mississippi were rained out tonight, and a doubleheader has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Wahoos conclude their series against the Shuckers on Sunday.
Escambia County’s Unemployment Rate Decreases By Half A Point
August 21, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County declined by half a percentage point last month, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.1% in July, down from 5.6% in June. That represents 7,866 people out of work out of a county workforce of 154,835. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 9.8%, or 14,353 people.
The area’s private sector employment increased by 5,300 jobs over the year, an increase of 3.5 percent. The Pensacola area labor force in July 2021 increased by 13,788 over the year, a 6.0 percent increase. The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,100 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in July 2021, up 0.1 percentage point from the June 2021 rate, and down 6.4 percentage points from a year ago.
Deputies Worked Traffic At Beulah Middle. Here’s How Many Traffic Stops They Made.
August 21, 2021
After receiving multiple complaints about speeding on Nine Mile Road near Beulah Middle School, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spent a morning working traffic in the area of the school zone last week.
Between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on August 17, the ECSO conducted 14 traffic stops in the area. Out of these 14 stops, 10 resulted in a citation. The highest speed was 66 mph in a 45 mph zone. One citation was issued for speeding in a school zone while the lights were flashing.
The ECSO is reminding motorists to slow down in school zones, do not pass buses with flashing lights activated, be alert and remove distractions.
Escambia County Reports 2,419 New COVID-19 Cases, 370 Hospitalizations
August 21, 2021
There were 2,419 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Baptist, Ascension Sacred Heart and West Florida hospitals reported a combined 370 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Additional data about hospitalizations at Baptist Hospital is below is a graphic they provided to NorthEscambia.com. It details hospitalizations in vaccinated versus unvaccinated individuals.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 42,840 (+2,419)
Positivity rate last week: 27.8%
Current total hospitalizations: 370
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 361
Under age 18 hospitalized: 9
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 136,937
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 48.5%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 39.2%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 24,195 (+1,5136)
Positivity rate last week: 35.2%
People vaccinated: 76,991
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 48%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,027,954 (+150,118)
Case positivity rate: 19.8%
Deaths: 42,252 (+346)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate The number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities is no longer provided.
Lightning Strike Causes Apartment Building Fire
August 21, 2021
A lightning strike is being blamed for a fire that damaged an Escambia County apartment complex Friday afternoon.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to an apartment complex in the 3200 block of East Olive Road just after 1 p.m.
Flames and smoke were visible when the first firefighters arrived on scene. The fire was located in the attic area above the second floor of one building and was extinguished within the hour.
There were no injures reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
