Jay’s Jillian Thornton Wins State 1A High Jump Title
May 10, 2021
Jay High School’s Jillian Thornton took first place in the state in high jump at the FHSAA 1A track and field meet in Jacksonville.
She came in at 5-foot, 1.75-inches to take state. The senior joins just two other Royals that were track and field state champions in the past three decades.
Teresa Dobson, a current Jay track coach, took first place in the 3200 meter run and set a new state and school record in 1991, and Crystal Creamer Kelly was state champion in shot put in 1998.
Thornton was coached by Caleb Copeland for Jay.
Also at the 1A meet last Friday, Jay’s Isaac Black placed eighth and Landry Cato placed 11th in pole vault.
Pictured top: Jay High School’s Jillian Thornton won the Florida 1A High Jump Championship Friday the University of North Florida Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville. Pictured below: Thornton with Jay coach Teresa Dobson, who won the 3200 meter state championship in 1991 and set a state record. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Assault Against Son; Dad Says He Shot At A Squirrel
May 10, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill in an incident with his adult son.
William Jason Cook, 44, was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
The victim told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that he was in his room asleep with his girlfriend when Cook kicked his door open and screamed at him before going outside. The victim then heard a gunshot outside his window, according to an arrest report, before Cook began “wiggling his window air conditioner” and hitting the window.
The son told deputies that he was in fear for his life and believed his was going to be shot by Cook.
Arriving deputies found a loaded shotgun with seven shells in the woods and a spent shotgun shell in the front yard.
Cook told deputies he woke up and noticed his gate was damaged and believed that someone broke into his property. Cook said he went to his son’s room to alert him of the situation before going outside with his shotgun to investigate.
“William Jason Cook stated while he was in the front yard, he saw a squirrel and he shot his shotgun at the squirrel,” the arrest report states, before going deep into the woods to see if anyone was there. Cook stated that there was no argument with his son.
Deputies noted in their report that no one involved in the incident was under the influence at the time.
Tate High’s Logan Tyree Signs With UWF Soccer
May 10, 2021
Tate High School’s Logan Tyree has signed to play soccer for the University of West Florida.
Tyree was a four-year varsity starter for the Aggies. He played on the Gulf Coast Texans club team, as well as the Pensacola FC NPSL team.
Mom Watches Escambia Firefighter Son Save A Life During Mother’s Day Brunch
May 10, 2021
An Escambia County firefighter made his mom extra proud during Mother’s Day brunch Sunday.
“So it’s not everyday that a mom gets to watch one of her children save someone’s life,” Madeline Willis wrote in a social media post. “But that happened to me today. What an amazing Mother’s day!”
Willis is in Pensacola visiting with her son Jacob Hoskins, an Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighter assigned to the Ensley Fire Station.
They were at a McGuire’s for Mother’s Day brunch when a woman began to choke. Hoskins jumped into action, and saved the woman’s life.
“So saving people’s lives is something he does on a daily basis…but for me to observe this humble son of mine do his ‘job’ was an experience I’ll never forget,” Willis said. “So proud!”
Pictured: Madeline Willis (front left) watched her firefighter son Jacob Hoskins (middle right) save a choking victim during Mother’s Day lunch on Sunday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Jump A Dime; Pipeline Shutdown Threatens Another Increase
May 10, 2021
Florida gas prices increased 10 cents last week, in response to the crude oil and gasoline futures price gains, according to AAA.
The state average is now $2.88 per gallon; three cents less than the highest price so far this year.
In North Escambia, a low of $2.76 could be found Saturday night at station on Highway 29. A handful of stations in Pensacola were a few cents less.
Now there’s a threat of even higher prices as the country’s largest pipeline – for refined products like gasoline – has been shut down since Friday, due to a cyber attack. The Colonial Pipeline carries gasoline and diesel from refineries in Texas, supplying states with fuel across the southeastern US and up the eastern seaboard to the New York harbor.
“The longer the pipeline is down, the greater the threat of rising gas prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “If operations are restored on Monday, drivers may see very little to no impact at the pump. A lengthy downtime, like a week, would be a different story. Sunday night, gasoline futures prices were up less than a nickel.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wahoos Drop Game To The Braves, Bring Series Win Back To Pensacola
May 10, 2021
Pensacola dropped the finale of their first series of the year in a 6-2 game shortened by rain.
Home runs were the story once again for the M-Braves as they scored five of their six runs via the long ball on Mother’s Day. C.J. Alexander hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first off Wahoos starter Will Stewart (L, 0-1) to put the M-Braves up 3-0.
Jerar Encarnacion had a quick response when he led off the second inning with a spectacular solo home run that landed in the parking lot well beyond the left field bullpen.
However, it was Mississippi who homered again, and this time Jacob Pearson hit a two-run shot off Stewart in the bottom of the fourth, pushing the M-Braves lead to 5-1. They would add another run in the sixth, and after the Wahoos scored in the seventh to make it a 6-2 game, the skies opened up and the game was called due to a heavy downpour.
RHP Matt Withrow made his first start for the M-Braves in almost four years, dating back to May 21, 2017 against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. He pitched four innings, and allowed just the one run on two hits while striking out two.
Pensacola leaves Mississippi with its first series win in hand as they prepare for back-to-back homesteads, the first beginning on Tuesday, May 11th against the Birmingham Barons.
by Chris Garagiola, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Structure Fire Sunday Afternoon At Ascend Performance Materials; Second Fire In A Week
May 9, 2021
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to another active structure fire at Ascend Performance Materials on old Chemstrand Road Sunday afternoon, the second fire at the chemical plant in a week.
The fire was in an area about 150 yards from the location of a fire at the plant last week.
Multiple Escambia Fire Rescue stations responded to assist Ascend’s internal fire department. Ascend requested two engines for assistance with an active fire, according to Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale. A total of 12 Escambia Fire Rescue units responded, including three engines, a squad truck and one ladder truck.
There was no danger to the public outside the plant, and there were no evacuations ordered.
There were no injuries.
Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to a structure fire at the plant on May 5.
Pictured. Escambia Fire Rescue responded fire Sunday afternoon at Ascend. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour. Click to enlarge.
UWF Holds In-Person Commencement (With Photo Gallery)
May 9, 2021
The University of West Florida held their Spring Commencement on Saturday.
Two ceremonies were held at Blue Wahoos Stadium, the first in-person commencement since the pandemic. UWF invited all 2020 graduates to attend the Spring 2021 commencement.
Graduates were socially distanced, and guests were limited to four per graduate. The ceremonies were streamed online, and many graduates chose to take part virtually.
For a complete list of graduates, click or tap here for the program.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Vaccine Demand Declining, Escambia Lagging Behind State Average
May 9, 2021
Escambia County’s health director says the demand for COVID-19 vaccine is decreasing, despite ample availability.
There have been 99,870 people that have received at least one dose in Escambia County as of May 7. That is 37% of the county population over age 16; the state average is 49%.
“We are below the state average for individuals vaccinated that are eligible,” said Florida Department of Health in Escambia County Administrator Marie Mott. “That’s one of the things we would like to see change.”
In March, Mott said a local vaccination target of 175,000 by May was was discussed among vaccine community partners.
“The supply has opened up, but it appears the demand is being maybe not as robust as it was in January, February,” she said.
Mott told the Escambia County Commission that the vaccine is readily available from multiple providers, hospitals, private medical practices and a number of commercial pharmacies. There have also been numerous vaccination clinics in several communities, including the pictured clinic last week at the Walnut Hill Community Center where 28 people received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
“It’s pretty widely available. I think it’s getting people to decide to go ahead and go get it, or the time is right to go get it.”
“Our health care providers have done an excellent job of securing supply, but the demand has waned,” Commission Chairman Robert Bender said. He said Escambia County is 22nd in the state in terms of population, but about 26th or 27th in the number of people vaccinated.
“We want our recovery to continue. We feel the best way to do that is through our community getting vaccinated,” Bender added.
Pictured top: A clinic last week at the Walnut Hill Community Center where 28 people received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Pictured inset: Florida Department of Health in Escambia County Administrator Marie Mott addresses the Escambia County Commission Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Collecting Dead Animals Sentenced To Probation
May 9, 2021
A Cantonment woman has been sentenced to probation and forbidden from owning animals after being convicted in a 2020 animal cruelty case.
Selena Dunlap, 22, was originally charged with felony unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine and cruelty to animals, but the unlicensed veterinary medicine charge was later dropped.
Dunlap was found guilty of one count of animal cruelty and ordered to pay court costs and fines. She will not be allowed to own, possess or control any animals and must allow for periodic inspections by probation or animal control officers.
She will be allowed to live with her father that has animals. However, she “cannot be in control of those animals in any respect or bring any animals in,” according to the sentence imposed by Judge Joel Boles. She will also be required to obtain substance abuse and mental health evaluations and search for a job.
Escambia County Animal Control responded to a home in the 1300 block of Tate Road after receiving a reported that Dunlap was “injecting cats with food.”
An animal control officer reported that she could see a couple of cats and dogs inside the home. When she asked about a kitten, Dunlap and her roommates said it was inside the trailer. The officer asked Dunlap to show her what they were injecting the cat with when Dunlap brought out a bottle of sodium chloride.
When the officer was invited inside to see a kitten, she noted that the home was filled with old food, trash, cigarette butts and a dog kennel covered in blankets. Dunlap was holding the kitten, according to an arrest report, and said she had been giving it sugar water, watered down milk and antibiotics.
Dunlap showed the animal control officer a needle she said she bought online, and the officer observed a magazine on a table with the title “Secrets To Being a Vet Tech.”
The officer said the kitten was not able to hold its head up. It was taken to the Escambia County Animal Shelter for care. It later died.
The report adds back in October 2019, Dunlap’s dad contacted animal control stating she was living in a tent in the woods and collected dead animals and had live animals as well. When animal control responded to Dunlap’s tent, she stated she had seven dogs and eight cats. Puppies were found covered in fleas.
Animal control removed 12 animals from Dunlap and ordered her to bury the dead animals.