Century Man Charged With Stealing The Cash Pot From Poker Game After He Went Broke
July 5, 2021
A Century man is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing the cash pot during a poker game.
Ronnie Lee Simpson, Jr., 39, was charged with robbery with a firearm, felony grand theft, two counts of petit theft, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Simpson was allegedly playing poker for money at a residence on Blackmon Street in Century when he pulled a gun and stole the pot. Other players said Simpson had “gone broke” and was upset.
One victim told deputies that he had $740 in the pot, and another said he was had $300. Both said they wished to pursue charges. A third victim told deputies he was in for $1,875 that was stolen but he said he wished to pursue the issue civilly.
Simpson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
Ordinary Call Leads To Random Act Of Kindness For Escambia Firefighters
July 5, 2021
When a group of Escambia County firefighters were leaving an ordinary “lift assist” call recently, they stopped to perform a random act of kindness.
The crew of Escambia Fire Rescue Squad 3 saw a wheelchair bound homeowner cutting his grass with a push mower. It was a tough job that the man said would have taken an hour and a half.
Squad 3 took over and was able to complete the job is less than 20 minutes with Lt. John Van Matre, firefighter Allen Harrison, and firefighter Kyle Saxton.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Traffic Alert: What To Expect This Week Due To Road Construction
July 5, 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 - U.S. 98 eastbound drivers will encounter right lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 6 through Friday, July 9, for crews to paint the barrier wall on the bridge.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction - 17th Avenue northbound is accessible for traffic exiting the bridge. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and boat launch is available from 17th Avenue northbound. Left turns remain temporarily prohibited from 14th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway eastbound. Instead, these drivers should travel south on Ninth Avenue, then east on Chase Street, and continue eastbound to Bayfront Parkway and the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
- 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.
- Brief, intermittent lane closures are anticipated to continue through the end of the year as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pile driving operations are underway and will take place during daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) - Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, July 6 through Thursday, July 8 throughout the limits of the project for striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures on West Cervantes Street between North Pace Boulevard and J Street to perform median improvement work. The speed limit on West Cervantes Street between Dominguez Street and A Street has been permanently reduced to 30 mph.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts on U.S. 29 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 6 through Thursday, July 8, as crews perform paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers can expect intermittent east and westbound traffic shifts as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Nine Mile Road between Beulah Road and I-10 is expected to be open to four travel lanes the week of Monday, July 5. Beginning, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 6, motorists can expect intermittent lane closures between Beulah Road and the Eleven Mile Creek to allow crews to perform paving operations.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
- There will be intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 6 through Thursday, July 8 as crews restripe and install temporary asphalt in preparation for construction of low-profile barrier wall.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - U.S. 98 eastbound drivers will encounter right lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 6 through Friday, July 9, for crews to paint the barrier wall on the bridge.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are no traffic impacts at this time.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Road construction on Highway 29. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Walk-Off In Extras In Series Finale Against Biloxi
July 5, 2021
Riley Mahan broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the 10th inning with a bases-loaded walk to give the Wahoos a thrilling 5-4 win at Blue Wahoos Stadium on the Fourth of July.
In the top of the 10th inning, the Shuckers capitalized on the extra-innings rule by scoring Luis Castro on a RBI single from Jesus Lujano. The Shucker left fielder finished the day 4-for-5, which was the third 4-hit game of his career.
Despite taking the lead, Andrew McInvale (W, 1-0) showed resiliency on the mound by retiring the next two batters without surrendering a run.
In the bottom of the 10th with Bleday on second, the Wahoos loaded the bases thanks to a hit-by-pitch and a walk. With the winning run at second and nobody out, Victor Victor Mesa hit a sac fly to right center that scored Bleday and moved Jerar Encarnacion to third. The Shuckers then intentionally walked Chris Chinea to reload the bases before Nick Lovullo hit into a fielder’s choice in which Biloxi shortstop Brice Turang got the force out at the plate.
With one out and the bases still loaded, Riley Mahan—who came off the bench in the bottom of the ninth—worked the count full against Robbie Hitt (L, 0-1) before drawing a game-winning walk.
For the Shuckers, the loss was their fifth in six days, and a disappointing way for the comeback bid to fall short.
After failing to score against Biloxi’s opener, Pensacola came out swinging against intended starter, Nick Bennett. In his first inning of work, the Wahoos scored three times. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third and only one out, JJ Bleday laced a double to the warning track in center to bring home two runs. Nick Fortes followed with an RBI single to put the Wahoos ahead 3-0.
The Shuckers had no answer for Pensacola said starter Max Meyer, who pitched five shutout innings while allowing four hits and striking out four. It was the second time Meyer has pitched against Biloxi this week and the fourth time this season. In his four combined outings, Meyer is 1-0 and has pitched 19.1 shutout innings against the Brewers Double-A affiliate. The next time Meyer takes the mound, he will be in Denver, pitching for the National League in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
Biloxi’s offense came to life once Meyer departed. Luis Castro led off with a double off Zack Leban before Alexander Palma launched his fourth homer of the season to cut Pensacola’s lead down to 3-2. The Shuckers then tied the game in the seventh after Turang walked, stole second, and scored on the RBI single from Palma.
For a moment it appeared the Wahoos were poised to walk it off in regulation, as they had the winning run on second base with two outs in the bottom go the ninth. Bleday hit a line drive to center that was run down by Ryan Aguilar to send the game in extras.
Pensacola now has six walk-off wins this season, and are an impressive 15-7 in one-run games.
The Wahoos next face the Mississippi Braves in Pearl, MS beginning on Tuesday, July 6. As it stands, the M-Braves are one back of the Wahoos for the best record in the Double-A South. RHP Edward Cabrera (1-0, 1.17) is expected to start the opener for Pensacola. He will be opposed by RHP Spencer Strider (0-1, 5.40).
Jay Enjoyed Fireworks Saturday Night. Here’s A Schedule Of Fireworks And Events Tonight For The Fourth.
July 4, 2021
Jay kicked off the Independence Day celebrations with a fireworks show Saturday night, and several other fireworks shows and events are planned for Sunday night.
Before the annual fireworks show in Jay, the Jay Elementary School Junior Beta Club added to the celebration with a fundraiser for an upcoming trip to Washington D.C. Activities included a bounce house, glow items, face painting, boiled peanuts, drinks and cotton candy.
Here’s the schedule for fireworks, concerts and other events Sunday night in the North Escambia area:
JULY 4
Sertoma’s 4th of July Celebration, Pensacola
For the 32nd year, area Sertoma organizations are again coordinating and hosting the largest Fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay on Sunday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
The festivities are going to be different this year. Organizers decided to focus on holding the largest fireworks show ever for the Fourth. The celebration will return to the full day of festivities for 2022.
There will be live music on the main stage on Bayfront Parkway at Bartram Park, with Not Quite Fab taking the stage at 4:30 with their Beatles show and Still Standing from 6:30 until 9 p.m. with a tribute to Elton John.
The fireworks show over Pensacola Bay at 9 p.m. will be synchronized with music on CatCountry 98.7. You’ll need an actual FM radio — there is too much of a delay when using a device or app.
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Sparks & Stars Performance
There will be a free performance from the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra at the Hunter Amphitheater in Vince Whibbs Community Maritime Park is at 7 p.m. Sunday. Bring your blanket to enjoy the show on the lawn. This orchestra concert will be broadcast live on NewsRadio 92.3 / AM 1620, on BLAB-TV and in Wahoos Stadium from 7:30 until 9 p.m.
Pensacola Beach Fireworks
The Pensacola Beach Fireworks show will be at 8:30 p.m. Sunday along the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk and Santa Rosa Sound. The best viewing spots are from the Portofino Boardwalk or Quietwater Beach.
Downtown Milton Riverfest
Celebrate the 4th of July along Willing St. in Milton. in Historic Downtown Milton from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a family-friendly event featuring the Firecracker Bike Show, car show, food and retail vendors, live entertainment, and the Great Mill Town Duck Race. The night will end with a firework display over the Blackwater River at sundown.
Atmore
Fireworks at 9 p.m. at Wind Creek.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Escambia County’s Mobile Command Center To Remain At Condo Collapse Through July 30
July 4, 2021
Escambia County’s mobile command center will stay at the South Florida condo collapse longer than first anticipated.
The command center, nicknamed “THOR” was set to return from Surfside on Wednesday, but it will now remain through July 30.
The state requested use of the vehicle as a command post to use during the search and recovery efforts.
The THOR command post trailer expands to offer 1,000 square feet of interior working space. It is equipped with a 44-kilowatt generator with 72 hours of fuel onboard, and has dual 5-ton air conditioning units.
It allows for wireless communications, including cellular, satellite, VOIP phones and radio equipment. It has a 52-foot mast with antennas an high resolutions cameras, a video distribution system for off-air television, satellite television and computer system. There is a four-position communication room and office space with printers, scanners, office supplies, mini-fridge, microwave and a coffee maker.
Current plans call for THOR to be moved to the Miami Convention Center until Tropical Storm Elsa clears before it is returned to Surfside.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Who Has The Best Local Fireworks Show? How Will Locals Spend The Fourth? Our Survey Says…
July 4, 2021
How will North Escambia residents celebrate the Fourth of July, and which town has the best local fireworks show?
NorthEscambia.com conducted a survey with four questions for the Fourth. We found the majority of respondents will have a cookout, enjoy family time and attend a public fireworks show. And most won’t be going to the beach or traveling very far from home.
Celebration Plans
Family time (55%)
Cookout (45%)
Fireworks at home (38%)
Fly American flag (30%)
Public fireworks show (18%)
Nothing special (16%)
Bing watch TV (8%)
Beach (1%)
Spending Amount
A majority, 52%, said they’ll be spending under $50 on their celebrations, while 21% said $50-$99 and 18% responded $100-$249. Only 8% plan to spend over $250.
How Far To Travel
Most, 82%, don’t plan on any extra travel, 16% will travel under 100 miles, and 1% will travel 100 to 499 miles. About 1% said they will travel over 500 miles during the holiday period.
Best Local Fireworks Show
Survey participants said the best local fireworks show is:
- Pensacola (Sertoma) 56%
- Pensacola Beach 18%
- Jay 9%
- Atmore (Wind Creek) 7%
- Century/Flomaton 3%
- Milton 2%
Note that the Century/Flomaton show was canceled this year, and Jay’s fireworks show was held Saturday night.
(For a fireworks show schedule, click here.)
This was an informal, non-scientific survey with 8,741 respondents. Percentages in this story may not exactly total 100 due to rounding and exclusion of minor answers.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Farm Bureau: July 4th Cookout Costs About The Same This Year
July 4, 2021
U.S. consumers will pay just a few cents less for their favorite Independence Day cookout foods compared to last year, including cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Farm Bureau analysis reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people remains affordable at $59.50, or less than $6 per person. The cost for the cookout is down 16 cents (less than 1%) from last year, but 8% higher compared to 2019.
The largest year-to-year price increase was for strawberries. Survey results showed 2 pints of strawberries at $5.30, up 22% from last year, due to strong demand and the effects of several weather events including severe rain, hail and high winds that caused significant setbacks to the harvest early in 2021.
Retail price changes for products in the meat case are a bit more nuanced, according to AFBF Economist Veronica Nigh.
“Beef and pork processing plant disruptions that occurred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been resolved, leading to lower retail ground beef and pork chop prices in 2021 compared to 2020,” Nigh said. “However, consumers looking a bit farther back to compare prices are seeing higher prices for ground beef, pork chops and chicken breasts compared to pre-pandemic (2019) prices. That’s due to continued strong demand for American-grown beef and pork from both U.S. and international consumers.”
AFBF’s summer cookout menu consists of cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad, pork & beans, strawberries, potato chips and fresh-squeezed lemonade with ice cream and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
Individual Prices, AFBF 2021 Summer Cookout
- 2 pints of strawberries, $5.30 (up 22%)
- 13-ounce bag of chocolate chip cookies, $4.02 (up 11%)
- 8 hamburger buns, $1.66 (up 6%)
- 2.5 pounds of homemade potato salad, $2.75 (up 3%)
- 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, $6.74 (up 1%)
- 32 ounces of pork & beans, $1.90 (down 13%)
- 2 pounds of ground beef, $8.20 (down 8%)
- Half-gallon of vanilla ice cream, $4.69 (down 5%)
- 3 pounds of center cut pork chops, $11.63 (down 2%)
- 2.5 quarts of fresh-squeezed lemonade, $3.65 (down 2%)
- 1 pound of sliced cheese, $4.05 (down 1%)
- 13-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.93 (down 1%)
Burdick’s Blast, Stewart’s Six Shutout Innings Lead Pensacola Past Biloxi
July 4, 2021
Will Stewart turned in a quality start and Peyton Burdick hit a go-ahead home run late as the Wahoos came from behind to win 6-3 against the Biloxi Shuckers Saturday evening at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Trailing 3-1, the Wahoos exploded in the seventh inning, scoring four times and sending all nine batters to the plate. Braden Webb (L, 2-4) was brought into the seventh for Biloxi, but only retired one batter before being lifted from the game. For Pensacola, Devin Hairston started the inning with a ground ball that snuck under the glove of third baseman Gabriel Garcia for a leadoff double. After a foul fly out, Victor Victor Mesa walked to set up runners at first and second with only one out.
That brought Burdick to the plate, who earlier this season hit a go-ahead grand slam off Webb in Biloxi to give the Wahoos an improbable win on May 28th at MGM Park. Like that night, Burdick fell behind 0-2 before turning around a fastball over the centerfield wall for a go-ahead three-run home run to give Pensacola a 5-3 lead and send a sold-out Blue Wahoos Stadium crowd into a frenzy. The home run was Burdick’s 13th of the season, tying him with Birmingham’s Micker Adolfo for the most home runs in the Double-A South.
Pensacola added an insurance run in the eighth when Devin Hairston belted his third homer of the season off Cody Beckman. For Hairston, all three of his homers have now come against his former team.
The late game drama was set up by Will Stewarts brilliant outing. Stewart allowed two hits across six shutout innings while striking out five. For the southpaw, it was his third quality start of the season, and his first since June 4.
Earlier, the Wahoos took the lead in the fourth inning by capitalizing on some sloppy play from the Shuckers. After Galli Cribbs Jr. was hit by a pitch, he advanced to second on a groundout to third. Later in the inning, he stole third base before ultimately scoring on a wild pitch from Shucker starter Noah Zavolas.
Zavolas finished his night with a quality start of his own, tossing six innings and allowing just one run while striking out eight.
Stewart’s chances of a win evaporated in the seventh, when Brent Diaz hit a three-run homer in the top of the seventh to give the Shuckers a 3-1 lead.
After the Wahoos retook the lead, Dylan Bice pitched the final two innings in scoreless fashion to give the right-hander his first career Double-A save.
The series concludes on Sunday with Marlins #3 prospect Max Meyer (4-1, 1.84) making his second start of the series. On Tuesday, Meyer picked up his fourth win of the season after six shutout innings against Biloxi. Just like on Tuesday, Meyer will be opposed by LHP Nick Bennett (1-4, 5.46).
FWC’s Operation Dry Water Targets Boating Under The Influence This Weekend
July 3, 2021
FWC’s Operation Dry Water promotes education, enforcement for boating under the influence this weekend
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement will be promoting awareness and conducting heightened enforcement targeting boating under the influence as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign this weekend.
FWC officers will be enforcing Florida’s boating under the influence laws and educating boaters about safe boating practices, which includes boating sober.
The Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest boating holidays all over the U.S., including here in Florida. In 2020, the month of July had nine fatalities and 53 people injured due to BUI related boating accidents.
Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries and consequences. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher — the same as it is to operate a vehicle.
“If you are boating and choose to operate while impaired, you are endangering not only yourself, but your family, friends and other boaters on the water,” said Maj. Rob Beaton, FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “FWC officers will be actively patrolling statewide looking for boaters who show signs of impairment. One of our primary missions is to ensure the safety of all those enjoying the state’s vast and diverse waterways. That is why the FWC is joining other states and agencies across the country to do our part in keeping boaters safe and preventing accidents related to boating under the influence.”
Alcohol is a leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths and a major contributor to accidents. Last year in Florida, 23% of fatal accidents were related to alcohol or drug use.
If a person decides to take alcohol on their voyage, it is important to designate an operator who isn’t drinking alcohol and will remain sober to ensure everyone gets home safely. The FWC encourages boaters to enjoy the boating season to its full extent by boating sober, wearing a life jacket and taking a boating education course.
The national Operation Dry Water weekend will take place July 2 through July 4. The mission of Operation Dry Water is to prevent alcohol and drug related accidents and fatalities through increased recreational boater awareness and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.