Cantonment Improvement Committee Continues Weekly Food Distributions
May 12, 2021
The Cantonment Improvement Committee is continuing their weekly Tuesday food giveaways, providing a helping hand to those in need.
And despite the rain, Tuesday was no different with a food distribution in cooperation with Manna Food Pantries.
The Cantonment community rallied together to help local kids after the start of the pandemic. In March 2020, the Cantonment Improvement Committee (CIC) and countless volunteers began to collect prepackaged food donations from the community, local churches and groups including Ascend Cares and International Paper.
Since May 2020, Manna has shared more than 125,000 pounds of food, the equivalent of over 135,000 meals, with CIC.
The CIC food distributions begin at 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Carver Park and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. Participants are asked to line up on Webb Street facing north, and the food is loaded into vehicles. The event takes place rain or shine.
Pictured: Tuesday’s Cantonment Improvement Committee food distribution at Carver Park in Cantonment. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Fall 6-1 As Baseball Returns To Pensacola
May 12, 2021
Once all the afternoon rain stopped, the skies parted into a postcard sunset. And people filled the seats.
The only missing element was a Blue Wahoos win, after the Birmingham Barons jumped to a big lead in the first three innings en route to a 6-1 victory in the Wahoos long-awaited, home opener Tuesday night.
While the game didn’t evolve to the fans’ desire, the festive atmosphere became the overriding element.
After a 20-month, 600-plus days absence, Pensacola’s team ushered baseball entertainment and new affiliation with the Miami Marlins back into people’s hearts. The result was a good time among the crowd of 3,669 at Blue Wahoos Stadium
Wahoos Life was back. That mattered.
“The atmosphere was great from start to finish,” said Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel, who previously managed against Pensacola while with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
“(Fans) were out there, they didn’t miss a beat. I’m sure they were excited to get back out to the stadium and watch some baseball. It was a fun atmosphere. I just wish we could have played a little better for ‘em and had something for (fans) to cheer about, but it was one of those games.”
On the field, the second pro start for Blue Wahoos acclaimed pitcher Max Meyer did not go as well as the first.
After a clean first inning, it got difficult for Meyer, the No. 3 overall player chosen by the Marlins in the 2020 draft. Meyer worked only four innings, giving up eight hits, including a two-run homer by clean-up hitter by cleanup hitter Micker Aldofo in the Barons’ 4-run, third inning.
“He didn’t have great stuff out there (Tuesday), Randel said. “He battled out there, he competed well. His weapon, his slider, was unable to get going. (Barons) did a great job game-planning against him. I think their approach was to just let (slider) go and they were sitting on fastball.
“We are going to get back with him. He’s got some work to do in between starts. We’re going work on some fastball command get that slider in for strikes.”
It was one of five extra-base hits the Barons (6-1) produced against Meyer. The other four were doubles.
In all, he yielded five runs, all earned, two walks, two strikeouts on 71 pitches. It was a contrast to his dominating performance a week ago in the season-opener at Mississippi , where he tossed a 1-hitter against the M-Braves and didn’t yield a run in winning his debut.
But the night still began in a special way.
Without being unable to have traditional first-pitches, the Blue Wahoos (4-3) started a new one: “First Fishes.”
Led by popular WKRG-TV sports personality Robby Baker, who is moving to a new TV job in his home state of Arizona, actual fish were tossed into a waiting net held by Blue Wahoos mascot, Kazoo.
Then, after some microphone issues on the National Anthem, the crowd came to the rescue and sang the words in unison to rescue the moment. The singer and the players both reacted in a good way.
On the field, the second pro start for Blue Wahoos acclaimed pitcher Max Meyer did not go as well as the first.
After a clean first inning, it got difficult for Meyer, the No. 3 overall player chosen by the Marlins in the 2020 draft. Meyer worked only four innings, giving up eight hits, including a two-run homer by clean-up hitter by cleanup hitter Micker Aldofo in the Barons’ 4-run, third inning.
“He didn’t have great stuff out there (Tuesday), Randel said. “He battled out there, he competed well. His weapon, his slider, was unable to get going. (Barons) did a great job game-planning against him. I think their approach was to just let (slider) go and they were sitting on fastball.
“We are going to get back with him. He’s got some work to do in between starts. We’re going work on some fastball command get that slider in for strikes.”
It was one of five extra-base hits the Barons (6-1) produced against Meyer. The other four were doubles.
In all, he yielded five runs, all earned, two walks, two strikeouts on 71 pitches. It was a contrast to his dominating performance a week ago in the season-opener at Mississippi , where he tossed a 1-hitter against the M-Braves and didn’t yield a run in winning his debut.
The Blue Wahoos had their best chance for a big inning in the third inning. They loaded the bases with none out on a trio of singles by Lazaro Alonso, Riley Mahan and Connor Justus.
Birmingham starter Blake Battenfield then got Victor Victor Mesa to hit into double-play that scored the Blue Wahoos lone run of the game. Battenfield then retired JJ Bleday with a ground out to end the inning.
Birmingham racked up 11 hits in the game, but only three off a trio of Blue Wahoos relievers. Blue Wahoos shortstop Demetrius went 2-for-4, leading the way among the team’s five hits.
With so much uncertainty on how in-game activities would evolve, the Blue Wahoos were able to generate some of their most popular contests, including the beloved “Roach Run” after the fifth inning in the outfield. They ran the Military Mascot Races on the concourse after the sixth inning.
The Blue Wahoos also became a pregame site for coronavirus vaccines. Nurses from the Department of Health administered the Johnson & Johnson dose to a group of people in the Cox Clubhouse area on the concourse. Vaccinations will also be available on Saturday and Sunday before the final two games of this full-week series.
The homestand will continue Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. against the Barons.
The Blue Wahoos will play Thursday and Friday games at 6:35 p.m. as well, then have their first Fireworks Saturday game at 6:05 p.m. before closing the 6-game series on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
By Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Writer
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate, PHS Students Named National Merit $2,500 Scholarship Winners
May 12, 2021
Students from Tate and Pensacola high school have been named National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners.
Michael R. Dixon from Tate High School, and George T. Prettyman, Amy Anqi Zhang and MaxAnthony D. Mateer from Pensacola High School were local scholarship recipients.
The 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of some 16,000 outstanding finalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. The finalists in each state are judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.
Atmore Killer Found Dead In Prison Cell; He Was Convicted Of Strangling Woman, Torching Her Home
May 12, 2021
An Atmore man sentenced to life in prison for a 2013 strangulation death was found dead in his prison cell.
Collis McCaster, now 48, was found unresponsive in his private cell at 8:20 a.m. Sunday at the William Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer, Alabama. He was pronounced deceased at 8:45 a.m.
“At this time there is no evidence of trauma or foul play and an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of the death,” Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates stated in a report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
McCaster was originally charged with capital murder but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of murder for the death of 60-year old Mildred Jackson Morris.
Firefighters responded a call of smoke coming from Morris’ home at 227 Adams Street in Atmore about 5:20 a.m. on June 8, 2013. Once the fire was contained and firefighters were able to enter the residence, the remains of Morris were found on the living room couch where family members stated she normally slept. Morris was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.
Fire officials said the fire was contained mostly to the living room of the home.
McCaster was arrested a few hours later. He underwent a polygraph test and confessed to the crime.
Pictured top and below: Collis McCaster was convicted of murdering a woman then torching her home on Adams Street in Atmore in June 2013. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Rips Through Church Outreach Building In Ensley: Pastor Says They Are Preparing To Rebuild
May 11, 2021
Fire destroyed a church building in Ensley Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was in the 9000 block of Chandler Street, behind Crown Church. Flames were seen coming through the roof of the building before firefighters arrived on scene. There was no one inside at the time, and there were no reports of injuries.
The building was the Crown Church Community Outreach Center, according to Pastor Jason Oxendine. The building was used to provide clothing, food and other community needs.
“We are now in prayer and will start preparing to rebuild the outreach center so that we will be able to continue to respond to needs of our community,” Oxendine said.
Reports indicated that lightning may have sparked the fire, but the the exact cause is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Cantonment Wreck
May 11, 2021
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Highway 29 at Morris Avenue in Cantonment.
The injured person was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered to be serious. One other person refused medical treatment.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Ensley Walmart Robbed Tuesday Morning
May 11, 2021
The Ensley Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard was robbed Tuesday morning.
A male wearing a white hoodie went to the customer service counter and passed a note stating that it was robbery, according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Commander Andrew Hobbs.
The suspect did not display a weapon, Hobbs said.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information on the incident to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.
Pictured: This suspect allegedly robbed the Ensley Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard Tuesday morning. Pictured below: The scene outside the store. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..
Century Man Facing Multiple Felony Narcotics Charges After Traffic Stop
May 11, 2021
A Century man was charged with multiple felony narcotics counts after a traffic stop.
Demontra Johnta Mitchell, 27, was charged with trafficking in oxycodone, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, tampering with evidence, distribution of an opium derivative (oxycodone), possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with license suspended habitual offender.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Escape driven by Mitchell in the area of New Warrington Road and Mobile Highway due to a seat belt violation and a partially obscured tag.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies reported finding 13 oxycodone pills, 18.5 grams of marijuana, methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, a digital scale and $700 in cash, according to an arrest report.
Mitchell remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Florida Forest Service Expects To Begin Filling Krul Lake Today
May 11, 2021
Here’s an update to a story we brought you three weeks ago.
In April, Florida Forest Service officials told NorthEscambia.com then that it would be about two weeks before repair would be complete on Krul Lake in the Blackwater State Forest. The project took a little longer than anticipated to complete, but water will soon be back in the lake.
If all goes as planned, the Forest Service plans to close the floodgate at Krul Lake Tuesday afternoon. It would normally take the lake about a week to fill, but it could be sooner depending on how much rain falls the next couple of days.
Krul Lake is filled from springs located on the north end of the lake and is popular summer swimming area. The Krul Recreation area, located about a half mile east of Munson, also features restrooms and showers, hiking trails, a gristmill, a suspension bridge over Sweetwater Creek, and a picnic area.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Selects 2021-2022 Officer Team
May 11, 2021
The Northview High School FFA has selected their officer team for the upcoming school year.
Northview FFA 2021-2022 officers are:
- President: Audrey Goetter
- Vice President: Briar Weaver
- Secretary: Paige Gibbs
- Sentinel: Cody Pugh
- Treasurer: Judson Lee
- Reporter: Ryan Andrews
- Parliamentarian: John Beczkowski
- Photographer: Samantha Kimmons
“We are excited to start a new year with this phenomenal officer team. Despite the challenges of this year, these students have gone above and beyond to participate and make every event we participated in a success. I am confident that each of these students has a bright future ahead and look forward to seeing them accomplish many great things,” said Brandon Korinchak, Northview agriscience teacher.
Pictured: (front L-R) Samantha Kimmons, Audrey Goetter, Paige Gibbs, (back row) Judson Lee, John Beczkowski, Ryan Andrews, Briar Weaver, and Cody Pugh. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.