Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier Will Reopen Saturday Following Temporary Repairs
June 25, 2021
The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier on Casino Beach will reopen to the public on Saturday at 6 a.m. The pier will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The 1,471-foot Gulf-side fishing pier was significantly damaged from Hurricane Sally last September and has been closed while the county worked with FEMA. After an onsite meeting with FEMA representatives, the county received approval to move forward with temporary repairs in June, and those repairs are now complete.
“I’d like to thank Escambia County public works and parks and recreation personnel for working so quickly to make these temporary repairs once we received approval from FEMA to move forward,” said Chairman and District 4 County Commissioner Robert Bender. “With the Pensacola Bay Bridge recently reopening, I’m ecstatic that there is easier access to this amenity for folks to enjoy on Pensacola Beach.”
Barons Get Walk-Off Win Over The Wahoos For The Second Night
June 25, 2021
Craig Dedelow hit a sac fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap off a three-run rally as the Birmingham Barons walked off the Wahoos 3-2 for their second walk off win in a row.
Pensacola led 2-0 headed into the ninth with closer Colton Hock (L, 1-1) on the mound. The league’s leader in saves struggled with his command in the inning as he walked the bases loaded with nobody out. Zack Granite laced a two-run single to tie the game and advanced to second on the throw to the plate, setting up runners at second and third with still nobody out.
After intentionally walking Micker Adolfo, and a pop out from Carlos Perez, Dedelow hit a sac fly to center to give the Barons the win.
For Hock, it was only his second blown save in 11 attempts.
The loss takes the shine away from a masterful outing from Edward Cabrera, another one of the Marlins top pitching prospects. The right hander hurled six shutout innings and struck out nine without allowing a walk. The Barons mustered a total of three hits against Cabrera.
Offensively, Bubba Hollins carried the load for the Wahoos as the New Yorker 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI. He hit a solo shot off John Parke in the fifth to put the Wahoos up 1-0. Then in the eighth, he laced an RBI double into the left field corner to score Devin Hairston and give Pensacola what looked like a save 2-0 lead.
The series continues on Friday with Jake Eder (2-2, 1.08) taking the mound for the Wahoos. He will be opposed by Jason Bilous (0-0, 4.12).
‘Donut Strike’ For Manna Is Continuing; Here’s How To Donate Food Friday Afternoon
June 24, 2021
The “Donut Strike” for Manna Food Pantries is continuing at area grocery stores.
Law enforcement agencies and fire departments in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are on strike from doughnuts through Friday as they collect food for Manna.
First responders will be accepting grocery donations from the public as follows:
Friday, June 25 | 3 to 6 p.m.
- Walmart, 2650 Creighton Road, Pensacola
- Sam’s Club, 1250 Airport Boulevard, Pensacola
- Publix, 8684 Beulah Road, Pensacola
- Publix, 852 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
- Publix, 1430 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze
- Winn-Dixie, 3319 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
- Walmart Super Center, 3767 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
- Winn-Dixie, 1550 South Highway 29, Cantonment
- Publix, 5580 Woodbine Road, Pace (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
The items Manna currently needs most are:
- Oatmeal (boxes of individual packets)
- Chicken and tuna (pouches and canned)
- Peanut butter (1 lb. jars and individual cups)
- Vegetables (carrots, spinach, mixed vegetables; canned and peel-off plastic tops)
- Fruit in 100% juice (canned and peel-off plastic tops)
- Microwaveable dinners (like Hormel Compleats)
Pictured: Collecting food for Manna at the Publix at Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road Thursday afternoon. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Farm Hill Utilities Issues Boil Water Notice For Area Including Beulah Road, River Annex Road
June 24, 2021
Farm Hill Utilities in Cantonment has issued a precautionary boil water notice following a water main break Thursday.
A boil water notice has been issued for the west end of River Annex Road, the intersection of Beulah Road and Muscogee Road and all of Beulah Road including the side roads.
As a precaution, Farm Hill Utilities advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
The precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Cantonment Man Wins $1 Million On Lottery Scratch-Off Ticket
June 24, 2021
A Cantonment man has claimed a $1 million lottery prize.
The Florida Lottery said Thursday afternoon that 60-year old John Wiggins claimed a $1 million prize at the Pensacola District Office from the $5 million Gold Rush Classic scratch-off game.
Wiggins purchased his winning ticket from Tom Thumb at the corner of North W Street and Marcus Pointe Boulevard. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
Pictured: John Wiggins’ winning $1 million scratch-off ticket. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputy Cleared In Fatal Officer Involved Shooting At Pensacola Beach Hotel
June 24, 2021
No charges will be filed against an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy for the fatal shooting of a man at a Pensacola Beach hotel last March, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Acea Robert Grozdanoff was shot and killed during the incident March 17 at the Surf & Sand Hotel. The officer-involved shooting was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
“This review determined that no criminal charges will be filed against the deputy,” the State Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
911 callers reported Grozdanoff was holding a gun to a female’s head and was beating her.
When deputies arrived, the female told deputies, “I got the gun away from him; he doesn’t have the gun anymore.”
Deputies said Grozdanoff made statements about God and “wanting to die.” Deputies attempted to handcuff him, but during a struggle they discovered he had a gun that he pointed in the direction of a deputy. Another deputy fired at Grozdanoff until the gun fell on the floor. Grozdanoff was declared dead on the scene.
According to an autopsy report, Grozdanoff had alcohol, amphetamines, methamphetamines and THC in his system at the time of his death.
Pictured: The scene at the Surf and Sand Hotel on Pensacola Beach shortly after an officer involved shooting March 17, 2021. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Critical Injuries In Highway 95A, Tate School Road Crash
June 24, 2021
There were no critical injuries reported in a Thursday morning crash on Highway 95A at Tate School Road.
A Cadillac sedan and Chevrolet pickup collided about 10:10 a.m. The intersection was temporarily blocked, but the vehicles were moved to the shoulder shortly after first responders arrived.
Escambia County EMS and the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Pepper-Spraying Two Deputies And His Mother
June 24, 2021
A Century man is facing multiple charges after allegedly pepper-spraying two deputies and his mother.
Johnathon Robert Baldwin, 21, was charged with two counts of felony battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of felony resisting arrest and one county of battery in a domestic violence situation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Offices responded to the Century Park Apartments on 2nd Street where Baldwin had reportedly sprayed his mother with pepper spray and was possible armed with a knife, bow and arrow, or a pellet gun.
The victim told deputies that Baldwin is schizophrenic and was in possession of pepper spray he had ordered on the internet because dead people speak to him and he was afraid of “the purge”. She stated she had removed several canisters of pepper spray from his room before he pulled a can of pepper spray out of his pocket and sprayed across the front of her body, including part of her face. She was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS.
When deputies arrived and entered the apartment, Baldwin was standing with one hand hidden. Deputies gave him several commands to show his hands before he ran at two deputies in an aggressive manner, raised his right hand and pepper-sprayed both, according to an arrest report. He then retreated to a bedroom and slammed the door. A deputy kicked the door open.
Two deputies attempted to take Baldwin into custody, but he pulled away and pepper-sprayed both deputies in their faces and eyes, the report states. With deputies fearing that Baldwin might have other weapons within his reach, he was tased and taken into custody.
Deputies learned Baldwin had overdosed on an antipsychotic drug, and he was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital for treatment.
He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,000 bond.
Want A Smoked Boston Butt For The Fourth? Order Now From Tate Or Northview Football
June 24, 2021
Both the Tate and Northview quarterback clubs are selling smoked Boston butts will delivery in time for the Fourth of July with proceeds benefiting the Aggies or the Chiefs.
The Tate High Quarterback Club is selling Boston butts to be picked up July 3 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Aggie Shack. The Boston butts are $40 and can be ordered before July 1 by clicking or tapping here.
The Northview Quarterback Club is selling Boston butts for $40 each. Payment can be made via Venmo @northviewhs-chiefs. They can be picked up July 2 at Travis Nelson Park in Bratt from 4-7 p.m.
(Editor’s note: These are independent fundraisers. You’ll need to choose which school to order from and support, or order from both!)
Century Council Backs Off City Manager Job Review, Opts To Extend The Process
June 24, 2021
The Century Town Council this week declined to conduct a performance review as scheduled for their interim city manager, instead opting to table it for a future date after a workshop and individual meetings.
The council was set to review the performance of Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather, but backed out of the schedule agenda item. Council members were to have submitted written evaluation forms to he town clerk, but all five failed to do so.
“I don’t see it as fair to him or the council tonight,” Council President Luis Gomez said, adding that he though the generic evaluation form was inappropriate for a city manager position.
“If we jump the gun and start having discussions tonight, it wouldn’t be fair to Mr. Prather because there’s issues in the contract that need to be discussed further. There’s some language still in the contract that should have been changed in December of last year,” Gomez said. He said the contract language is not a “big problem”, but offered no specifics.
Instead, Gomez proposed a council workshop to discuss the “future endeavors of the city manager”, but he said he did not want Prather at the meeting.
“Then each council member, that night, if they have any gripes or any praises, put it in writing or any expectations of the position of city manager, but his record is going to all be on the table,” Gomez continued. He said council members could individually meet with Prather, and those written reviews would be presented to the mayor and Prather before a another council meeting for public review.
The council has not set a date for a workshop meeting to begin the process.
Prather was hired in December 2019, and his contract was extended for a year in December 2020. He is paid $1,200 a week ($40 per hour) to work 30 hours on a schedule of his choosing. He is also paid a $600 per month vehicle allowance, but receives no other benefits.
His contract specifies that the mayor and town council will meet with him “at least every three months for the purpose of defining goals and performance objective”.
Pictured: Century Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.