Update: Over 50 Shots Fired Into Vehicle As Former Pine Forest High Quarterback Killed; Sheriff Pleads For Information
July 1, 2021
A former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback was shot and found dead in a vehicle crash early Thursday morning.
A vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine at Hollywood Avenue and Fairfield Drive about 1 a.m. First responders discovered two adult males with gunshot wounds inside the vehicle.
Ladarius Clardy was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger was transported to an area hospital suffering from gunshot wounds; an update on his condition was not available.
Sheriff Chip Simmons said Thursday afternoon that over 50 shots were fired into the vehicle, most through the driver’s door.
During an afternoon news conference, Simmons was joined by Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May, Pensacola Councilman Delarian Wiggins and Pastor Joseph Marshall of St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church.
“This is not just a statistic. This is a son. This is a friend. This is a teammate, and enough is enough, Simmons said. “We cannot sit here and just keep saying another senseless act of violence.”
“We need your help. We want to know what you know,” Simmons continued, imploring for anyone with information of surveillance video from the area to come forward. He said Clardy’s vehicle was a 2016 black four-door Honda that might appear on someone’s surveillance video. “There are enough people around this town that know what happened.”
“This is not someone who is a loose kid out there running the streets,” Pastor Marshall said. “His family is very active. He attends our church, youth department, singing, participating in our entire youth department. I can’t express enough.”
“This is one of our children in Escambia County,” the sheriff said.
Simmons said the agency “has all major crimes units and numerous other units actively investigating this homicide”.
Clardy was 2020 graduate of Pine Forest High School where was a standout quarterback. He holds the Pine Forest Eagles’ all-time passing record, and he went on to play quarterback at Kennesaw State University.
Anyone with information or video is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (850) 433-STOP. Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest of the suspect.
ExxonMobil Sells Chemstrand Road Plant, Employees Expected To Transfer To New Owner
July 1, 2021
ExxonMobil Chemical Company has sold its plant on Chemstrand Road.
ExxonMobil signed an agreement with Celanese for the sale of its global Santoprene business for $1.15 billion, subject to working capital and other adjustments. Employees impacted by the sale are expected to transfer to positions when the new owner takes control.
The sale includes two world-scale manufacturing sites in Cantonment and Newport, Wales, along with associated product, process development and laboratory equipment, operating and administration buildings, control systems and documentation, and intellectual property.
Reaching this agreement with Celanese is consistent with our strategy and allows us to focus on serving the growing market for primary olefin derivatives, where we can leverage our competitive advantages of industry leading scale, integration and proprietary technology,” said Jack Williams, senior vice president of Exxon Mobil Corporation.
ExxonMobil’s Santoprene brand is a global leader in a specialized market. The company will continue to serve elastomers customers with specialty products, including Butyl rubber and Vistalon, which are used in a variety of applications.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory, information and consultation processes, and third-party approvals.
Man Found Beaten In Century Bar Parking Lot Has Died
July 1, 2021
Authorities say a man found beaten outside a Century bar has died.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Odom’s Bar on North Century Boulevard about 10 p.m. on June 19 to find the victim beaten and down in the parking lot.
Witnesses told deputies that Hunter was seen involved in a “shoving match” in the parking lot, but he did not appeared injured. The witnesses went inside the bar, and when they went back outside, they found Hunter unconscious and bleeding, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
A family member told NorthEscambia.com that Hunter remained in a coma and never regained consciousness.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday Begins Today; Here’s What You Can Buy Tax Free
July 1, 2021
Today is the first day of the new Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday in Florida for outdoor recreation, live events, museums and more.
Through July 7, purchases of admissions to music events, sporting events, cultural events, specified performances, movies, museums, state park annual passes, and fitness facilities for events held from July 1 – December 31, 2021, will be tax free. Additionally, purchases of season tickets are also exempted. (For a complete list, click here for a printable pdf.)
The Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday also applies to sales of boating and water activity supplies, camping supplies, fishing supplies, general outdoor supplies, and sports equipment.
Boating and Water Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $75 of the sales price of life jackets and coolers; the first $50 of the sales price of safety flares; the first $150 of the sales price of water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and recreational inflatable water tubes or floats capable of being towed; the first $300 of the sales price of paddleboards and surfboards; the first $500 of the sales price of canoes and kayaks; the first $75 of the sales price of paddles and oars; and the first $25 of the sales price of snorkels, goggles, and swimming masks.
Camping Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $200 of the sales price of tents; the first $50 of the sales price of sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves, and collapsible camping chairs; and the first $30 of the sales price of camping lanterns and flashlights.
Fishing Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $75 of the sales price of rods and reels, if sold individually, or the first $150 of the sales price if sold as a set; the first $30 of the sales price of tackle boxes or bags; and the first $5 of the sale price of bait or fishing tackle, if sold individually, or the first $10 of the sales price if multiple items are sold together.
General Outdoor Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $15 of the sales price of sunscreen or insect repellant; the first $100 of the sales price of sunglasses; the first $200 of the sales price of binoculars; the first $30 of the sales price of water bottles; the first $50 of the sales price of hydration packs; the first $250 of the sales price of outdoor gas or charcoal grills; the first $50 of the sales price of bicycle helmets; and the first $250 of the sales price of bicycles.
Sports Equipment: The tax holiday applies any item used in individual or team sports, not including clothing or footwear, selling for $40 or less.
Parole Denied For Man Convicted Of 1988 Murder Of Teen In Escambia, Alabama
July 1, 2021
The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles Wednesday rejected a parole for Edward Russell Dubose, who was convicted of the 1988 murder of Stephanie King.
Dubose is serving a life sentence for the murdering the 16-year old who at the time was a senior at T.R. Miller High School.
On Saturday, October 22, 1988, King went to the Alco Baptist Church in Brewton, where, in addition to being a member and the organist, she worked part-time as custodian to save money for college. She was abducted from the church, raped, sodomized and strangled using a cord from her sweatpants.
Local Ascend Plant Receives GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award
July 1, 2021
Ascend Performance Materials has received the General Motors 2020 Supplier Quality Excellence Award for its Pensacola polyamide 66 plant on Chemstrand Road. The award recognizes GM suppliers who meet or exceed the company’s rigorous quality performance criteria and support multiple functions across GM’s organization.
Ascend, the largest fully integrated producer of polyamide 66 resin, produces materials used to make parts that improve the safety, performance and fuel efficiency of automobiles, from fasteners and electrical connectors to airbags and radiator end tanks.
“Customer-focused is one of our core values at Ascend and it means that everything we do is in service to our customers,” said Phil Jeszke, automotive segment lead at Ascend. “The strength of our relationship with GM is built on partnerships throughout the production chain focused on quality and performance, from the materials to the design and manufacturing.”
This year’s award marks the second consecutive year Ascend has been recognized by GM.
“We strive to be a strategic partner to our customers, helping them drive growth,” said Isaac Khalil, senior vice president for polyamides at Ascend. “We’ve spent the last several years investing in our global footprint, product portfolio and technical resources in order to provide our customers with the materials and support they need. We value the recognition from GM and look forward to continue to support them.”
Every Wahoos Starter Knocks A Hit In Wahoos Win Over Biloxi
July 1, 2021
A capacity crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium was standing, clapping in anticipation.
Zack Leban took a quick pause, gassed up a 97-mph fastball, then pounded his glove amid the cheers.
With all the festivities Wednesday – specialty uniforms, dogs on parade, the debut of Watson the service dog, even a police dog demonstration – Leban’s closing effort in relief completed the Blue Wahoos winning night in a 4-3 victory against the Biloxi Shuckers.
Oh yeah, plus there were post-game fireworks lighting up the sky, too.
The combination fan entertainment and the Blue Wahoos continued knack for winning one-run games created another special experience.
Their win in the season’s 50th game put the Blue Wahoos (30-20) back into a first-place tie in the Double-A South with the Mississippi Braves. The Wahoos, who collected 12 hits, are now 14-6 in one-run games, which is why they’ve climbed 10 games above .500.
Every Blue Wahoos batter in the lineup had at least one hitter – the first time that has occurred this season.
The Shuckers (15-34), meanwhile, dropped their ninth straight game.
And all of this happened Wednesday despite the Blue Wahoos touted pitcher Edward Cabrera struggling at times through his five-inning start.
But even without his A-game, Cabrera picked up his first win as a Blue Wahoos pitcher. The 23-year-righthander gave up three runs – only one of which was earned, striking out three and walking three. The Miami Marlins’ No. 4 overall rated prospect allowed just two earned runs in his three starts.
In this game, however, Cabrera, never seemed comfortable. He had one clean inning in the fourth, and got out of a two-on situation in the fifth inning by striking out Biloxi’s No. 3 hitter Louis Castro.
Biloxi took a 2-0 lead after a second-inning home run by Tristen Lutz, then a third inning single by Bruce Turang.
The Blue Wahoos erased that lead with a three-run rally in the fourth inning on four consecutive hits.
Jerar Encarnacion started the production with his leadoff double. Run-scoring singles from Demetrius Sims, Riley Mahan and Galli Cribbs Jr. put the Blue Wahoos ahead.
After Biloxi tied the game in the fifth, designated hitter Nick Fortes had the game’s biggest hit with his two-out single in the bottom of that inning to score Peyton Burdick, who reached on an error.
From that point, the Blue Wahoos bullpen shined again. Alberto Guerrero (2 innings), Dylan Bice (1 inning) and Leban combined to allow just two hits, no walks in scoreless relief.
Leban gave up a two-out single in the ninth, but stuck out Gabriel Garcia on a 2-2 fastball to end the game.
by Bill Vilona, Pensacola Blue Wahoos senior writer
Molino Motorcyclist Charged With Fleeing From Deputy At Speeds Over 100 MPH
June 30, 2021
A motorcyclist is charged with allegedly fleeing from a deputy in Cantonment at over 100 mph.
Tyler Austin Driver, age 22 of Molino, was charged with felony fleeing an officer.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy watched Driver, wearing a bright red shirt, traveling westbound at a high speed on Plaza Road North in Cantonment on a white Kawasaki motorcycle. The deputy then observed Driver run a stop sign and head westbound on Santa Rosa Road at speeds in excess of 100 mph, according to an arrest report.
The deputy activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted unsuccessfully to catch up with the motorcycle. Driver allegedly accelerated to over 100 miles per hour after turning onto Jacks Branch Road from Muscogee Road.
The deputy went to the area of the 1400 block of River Annex Road where he found the motorcycle and Driver, who was still wearing the same red shirt.
Driver was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,000 bond. He also received a traffic citation for running a stop sign.
Summer Toy Giveaway Set For Walnut Hill; Parents Must Register Now
June 30, 2021
A summer toy giveaway will be held in mid-July in Walnut Hill, but parents must register now.
The Toys for Tots event will be held Saturday, July 17 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Walnut Hill Community Center at 7850 Highway 97. It for children ages 2-17. Children must be present and accompanied by a parent.
Parents must register in advance by calling Chandra Fountain at (850) 501-8217 by July 2.
ECUA Sanitation, Water And Sewer Rate Increases Proposed; D5 Rep Says He Won’t Raise Rates ‘Willy-Nilly’
June 30, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is proposing a rate increase for water, sewer and sanitation rates.
The proposed increase for sanitation services is 9.5%, which would be about $2.33 for garbage and included recycling service.The proposed water and sewer rate increase is 2.5%, which would amount to about 76-cents on a residential customer using 6,000 gallons of water each month.
During a District 5 town hall meeting Monday night, ECUA District 5 board member Kevin Stephens faced tough questioning from citizens who stated he said he campaigned on a promise of no rate increases.
But Stephens said he stated during the campaign that he would raise rates only as a last option after first looking for ways to cut expenditures.
“I’m going to look at all the information; I’m going to look at the budget,” he said. “I’m going to find out where we can cut costs. We are going to look at our house first. Where can we cut things where it comes to waste when it comes to inefficiencies, redundancies, overlap, that sort of thing. When it comes to, like I said, spending. That’s our big thing.
“If I’ve done the best I can do when it comes to cutting spending looking at budget restructuring our debt load — keep in mind there’s about a $150 million DEP consent order that we’re putting money back into the kitty to pay for. If I can’t find the money through cutbacks, then absolutely, I would vote for one (a rate increase). But not willy-nilly, and not knowing where the money’s going to go to.”
Stephens said he continually gets complaints about missed pick ups, and that can be attributed a driver and laborer shortage. He said the sanitation rate increase would go toward salary increases for those employees and to bolster recruiting efforts.
“We have agreed that, that increase, if approved, would be targeted to employee pay. Not maybe, not general fund, but targeted. In fact, it was specifically designated for employee raises,” the District 5 representative said.
“I can tell you definitively if we don’t … at $14.50 an hour to start out with, our biggest competitor to retain our employees, our drivers, the ones that come to pick up our garbage right now, is the private sector and the city (of Pensacola). If the city gets wind of us proposing raising our employees’ pay, they instantly send out a proposal to one-up us.” He said the City of Pensacola currently charges 11% higher rates than ECUA.
Pictured: ECUA District 5 representative Kevin Stephens speaks during a District 5 town hall meeting Monday evening at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.