‘Hungry To Read’ Provides Books And Groceries At Century, Tryon And Main Libraries
July 22, 2021
Children and their families were able to receive a bag of groceries and a free book Wednesday at three libraries in Escambia County.
FoodRaising Friends, the Escambia County School District and West Florida Public Libraries hosted “Hungry to Read”.
The books and groceries were distributed to children and families at the Century, Tryon and Main libraries. The books were furnished by Navy Federal Credit Union
Pictured: A book and grocery distribution Wednesday morning at the Century Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Sentenced For Setting Car On Fire With Enlisted Woman Inside
July 22, 2021
An Escambia County man as been sentenced to state prison for setting an enlisted woman’s vehicle on fire while she was inside.
Lee Edward Yohn entered a plea to one count of first degree arson of an occupied structure and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
On New Year’s Day, 2020, the victim, an active duty military service member, went to a U-Haul business. Not seeing anyone inside the business, she returned to her vehicle to leave. Upon returning to her vehicle, she was confronted by the defendant who began yelling at her. When the victim entered her vehicle in an attempt to leave, Yohn threw an unknown liquid on her car and then set the car on fire. When exiting the burning vehicle, the victim suffered minor injuries.
Although Yohn fled the scene, he was later identified by surveillance video, photo line ups, and other investigative techniques.
Pensacola’s Ninth-Inning Surge Sees Wahoos Ease Past Biscuits, Win 7-3
July 22, 2021
Tied 3-3 in the top of the ninth, Pensacola scored four times to defeat the Biscuits 7-3 at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium on Wednesday.
With Alex Valverde (L, 2-2) pitching in his third inning of relief, J.D. Osborne crushed a no-doubter to left center to break the 3-3 deadlock. It was Pensacola’s third homer of the night after the team had been homer-less since July 10th.
Already leading 5-3, Montgomery’s defense gifted the Blue Wahoos an additional two runs. After a two-out double from Devin Hairston, Demetrius Sims hit a routine ground ball to first that should’ve ended the inning. However, Jim Haley’s toss to the pitcher, Joel Peguero, was low and Peguero missed the ball entirely. Rather than run the ball down, Peguero simply stood in frustration, which allowed Sims to run all the way to third base.
The next batter, JJ Bleday, hit a flyball to left field that also should have ended the inning. This time, Niko Hulsizer missed the ball as it hit off his glove and landed safely, which allowed Sims to score. After all of the errors, the Wahoos exited the ninth with a 7-3 lead.
The Wahoos led briefly early, when Bleday homered off Biscuit starter Jayden Murray to make it 1-0. Montgomery took the lead in the bottom of the first, and it was not until Peyton Burdick launched a solo homer off Murray that the Wahoos were able to tie the game again at 2-2.
The late game craziness distracts somewhat from Max Meyer’s 13th start for the Wahoos. The former first-round pick pitched five innings and allowed six hits, three runs (two earned), and one walk while tying his career high with nine strikeouts. Tyler Stevens, Alberto Guerrero (W, 2-1), and Guillen combined to pitch four shutout innings while striking out eight.
The series rolls on tomorrow night when Jake Eder (3-3, 1.49) takes the hill for the Blue Wahoos. He will be opposed by RHP Easton McGee (0-0, 5.53).
Escambia Schools Adjust Start And Dismissal Times Due To Bus Driver Shortage
July 21, 2021
The Escambia County School district has adjusted the start and dismissal times for several schools due to a shortage of bus drivers. In heavily populated areas, bus routes have also been increased for some drivers.
The largest adjustment times are approximately 35 minutes, with other schools having smaller adjustments of 15 minutes or less.
The district said school principals have made automated phone calls to families to alert them about bus routes along with school day start and dismissal times.
Deputy Superintendent Shenna Payne told NorthEscambia.com that a complete list of changes was not yet available.
“We are still doing some fine tuning. When that is complete, I will certainly share,” Payne said Wednesday morning.
The following District 5 schools or their respective PTAs have already provided the following information online:
Bratt Elementary
- 7:10 a.m. – First bell
- 7:35 a.m. – Tardy bell
- 1:50 p.m. – Dismissal
Jim Allen Elementary
- 7:27 – Unload buses and car riders/breakfast begins. Students may not be dropped off before 7:15
- 7:40 – Breakfast closes
- 7:50 – School begins/tardy bell
- 2:10 – Dismissal
- 7:10 a.m. – Drop off begins
- 7:35 a.m. – Tardy bell
- 1:50 p.m. – Dismissal
- 7:20 a.m. -Car riders, breakfast line
- 7:50 a.m. – Start time
- 2:10 p.m. – Dismissal time
Start and dismissal times have not been announced for other North Escambia area schools.
Driver Crashes Into Marked FHP Unit With Lights Flashing On I-10
July 21, 2021
A driver crashed into a marked Florida Highway Patrol with emergency lights activated Wednesday morning on the interstate in Escambia County.
According to FHP, the 25-year old Milton man was traveling northbound on the I-110 ramp to westbound I-10 approaching the scene of another traffic crash. FHP said the man passed a Road Ranger vehicle marking a closed lane, entered the lane and crashed into the FHP patrol unit.
There were no injuries reported.
Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Pickup
July 21, 2021
\A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday night in Escambia County.
The unknown age male pedestrian attempted to cross North Pace Boulevard near West Lakeview Avenue about 9:50 p.m. He stepped into the path of a Ford pickup drive by a 56-year old Lake Placid, Florida, man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was transported to Baptist Hospital where he later passed away.
No names were release by FHP.
A Toaster, Cookies, Salt And Pepper From Amazon: Century Council Member Questions Town’s Online Purchases
July 21, 2021
Why can’t the Town of Century make more purchases locally, rather than ordering online from Amazon?
That’s a question council member Dynette Lewis has posed at their last two meetings.
The monthly bill lists for the town list about $2,450 in purchases from Amazon.com, including salt and pepper in a month.
“It’s ridiculous that we are ordering salt and pepper from Amazon,” Lewis said. “Somebody can take the time to go to the Dollar General store to purchase some of this stuff that is on this list.”
One month’s Amazon purchases have include some office supplies that may not be readily available in Century, but also several items that are sold in the town. Purchases have included: air freshener, muffins, Nestle Pure Life water, toner, cookies, a toaster, a $100 air fryer oven, file folders, copy paper, ink cartridges, other office supplies, toilet paper, a vacuum cleaner, and a can opener.
Mayor Ben Boutwell said the town will look at making purchases from local business when practical.
Pictured: Century council member Dynette Lewis at a recent council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Teen Injured In Crash With Log Truck On Highway 29
July 21, 2021
A teen was injured in a collision with a log truck early Wednesday morning on Highway 29 near Muscogee Road.
Reports indicated that a 17-year old female suffered injuries that were not considered serious. She was transported to an area hospital for evaluation following the crash shortly after 1 a.m.
The crash temporarily closed one southbound lane of Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Beulah Motorcyclist Charged With Fleeing From Deputies
July 21, 2021
A motorcyclist from Beulah is facing a felony charge after allegedly fleeing from an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy while traveling the wrong way on Pine Forest Road.
Broc Everett Ellis, 33, was charged with felony fleeing and eluding with wanton disregard for persons or property, resisting arrest without violence, operating a motorcycle without a motorcycle endorsement, and possession of marijuana.
The deputy observed a motorcycle pass another vehicle in an unsafe manner on Pine Forest Road near Sharon Lane. The deputy turned around and activated his emergency lights.
“I observed the operator, later identified as Broc Ellis, look back at me where he then accelerated into oncoming traffic,” the deputy wrote in his report. The deputy turned off his emergency lights and backed off due to Ellis traveling northbound in the southbound lane.
Ellis turned into the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot where he struggled to get the motorcycle back on two wheels before proceeding down a dirt road in the area of Floral Tree Gardens, the report continues. His motorcycle was spotted at the woodline near Southern Self Storage on Pine Forest Road. Ellis ignored verbal commands to stop and fled on foot through the woods, the report states. Duncan’ Donuts employees pointed Ellis out to the deputy as he ran back toward the Walmart Neighborhood Market. The deputy caught up, and tackled Ellis.
Under the seat of Ellis’ motorcycle, deputies reported finding a plastic bag containing marijuana.
Ellis was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $12,000 bond.
Escambia Health Department Updates COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Hours
July 21, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) is updating walk-in hours for their COVID-19 vaccine clinic located at 1295 West Fairfield Drive in Pensacola effective Thursday, July 22, 2021.
Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Same-day appointments can be made by calling (850) 595-6554. Questions can be directed to FDOH-Escambia’s COVID-19 phone line at (850) 595-6500 option 6.