Florida Black Bear Hunt Passes At FWC Meeting
May 22, 2025
An annual black bear hunt took another step forward Wednesday at a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Ocala.
The proposed hunt passed 4-1 on Wednesday to set the hunt for 23 this December, but a final vote will be required in August. The hunt will allow 187 bears to be removed from the state’s estimated 4,000 black bears.
“The resurgence of the Florida black bear is not just a victory for conservationists; it’s a win for all Floridians,” said Rodney Barreto, Chairman of the FWC. “Hunting is a biologically sound method to slow population growth, resulting in a healthy and well-managed Florida black bear population for the future.”
The bear hunt would not include Escambia or Santa Rosa counties; the closest area to be included would be Bay County.
Woman Arrested On Drug Charges After Allegedly Backing Down Road
May 22, 2025
A Walnut Hill woman was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop in Atmore.
Tebyl Presley, 53, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was transported to the Escambia County, AL Detention Center.
According to Atmore Police, an officer conducted a traffic stop after observing Presley backing down Rockaway Creek Road into a parking lot without a visible tag. During the interaction, the officer noted suspicious behavior from Presley and requested a K-9 unit to the scene. The K-9 officer conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle, and the K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was then conducted. During the search, officers discovered a small amount of a crystal-like substance, which field tested positive for methamphetamine. Additionally, items commonly used to ingest narcotics were found, according to APD.
Stellar Outing From Snelling Not Enough In 7-2 Wahoos Loss
May 22, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
Through six innings, it seemed like Wednesday night’s game between the Blue Wahoos and Barons was shaping up to be a classic pitcher’s duel in front of a crowd of 3,223.
The Blue Wahoos led 1-0, and starters Robby Snelling (L, 2-3) and Jake Palisch (W, 3-0) had finished six innings of shutout and one-run ball. As soon as the Pensacola bullpen got involved in the game, it was flipped on its head, leading to a 7-2 loss.
After Snelling’s six shutout innings, which included eight strikeouts and no walks for the 21-year-old southpaw, the Barons’ offense came alive as the Pensacola defense faltered in historic fashion.
The Barons plated five runs in the frame, as the Blue Wahoos made five miscues, totaling seven in the game to set a franchise record. This also set the record for most errors in one inning in Southern League history.
Left-handers Justin King and Dale Stanavich surrendered the five runs in the seventh, with all five being charged to King’s line, all five of which were unearned. The two relievers didn’t allow a hit in the inning, but King allowed two walks while Stanavich hit a batter to allow a run.
The Barons’ offense continued to pile on in the seventh, as Gonzalez drove in two with a home run to deep right off Stanavich.
Tony Bullard picked up the Blue Wahoos’ first run of the night in the third, with a solo home run to center for his first at the Double-A level.
Bullard’s home run broke a 20-inning scoreless streak for Palisch, which spanned across three starts.
Sam Praytor picked up an RBI in the eighth on a double off the wall in right-center, narrowly missing his third home run of the year.
The Blue Wahoos will turn their attention to Mullet Thursday for tomorrow’s game, as right-hander Evan Fitterer (2-2) is slated to take the mound. Fitterer was the Southern League Pitcher of the Month for April, throwing four innings of three-run ball in his last outing against Rocket City.
GAME NOTABLES
— The National Anthem was performed on Wednesday by Joshua Tenniswood from the Trinitas Christian School in Pensacola, which had a group outing of 75 people. Jonathan Rook sang God Bless America in the 7th inning. And several Trinitas students threw out ceremonial first pitches.
— The West Florida High softball team had its end-of-season outing with a combined 98 guests that included players, coaches, parents and friends.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
GAMETIMES: The games on Thursday through Saturday night will all start at 6:05 p.m. Sunday’s game will be a 4:05 p.m. start – the first late afternoon start time of season.
After Historic Season, Northview Takes State Runner-Up Spot
May 21, 2025
The Northview Chiefs are state runner-ups after falling 11-1 to Trenton in the FHSAA Rural Class softball state championship game this afternoon near Orlando.
Northview finished their historic season at 22-7, claiming both the district and regional championships with wins over the Jay Royals. This was the first time in the history of the school that Northview made the state final four.
Trenton started the game with a 3-0 lead in the first inning before scoring four in the third and four in the fifth.
Sophomore Mikayla McAnally opened in the circle, allowing eight hits and seven runs (three earned) in four innings, striking out two and walking one.
Jamison Gilman led the team with a sacrifice bunt in the third inning to score Riley Brooks, and Avery Stuckey went 1-2.
Gilman was the only senior on this year’s roster, with the opportunity for almost the entire team to return next year looking for another trip to state.
This was the fourth state softball championship for Trenton since 2019.
Century Sets Special Election Date To Fill Seat Left Vacant By Resignation
May 21, 2025
The Century Town Council on Tuesday night set a special election to fill a vacant seat on the council.
On May 6, Councilmember Sandra McMurray-Jackson resigned from Seat 5 for personal reasons. With more than six months remaining until the end of her term in January 2027, the town charter requires that the council set a special election and appoint a replacement to the five-member body.
The special election has been set for Tuesday, July 29. If no candidate for the non-partisan seat receives one vote more than 50%, a runoff will be held on September 29. The winner will take office 10 days after certification of the election.
The qualifying period for candidates is set for June 23-25.
The town recently held a special election for mayor and another council seat to due to resignations.
Pictured: Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, attending his first council meeting after being reelected in a special election, takes notes during a town council meeting on Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Man Arrested On Meth Charges After Bratt Traffic Stop
May 21, 2025
A Century man was arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop in Bratt.
Leland David Kite, Jr., 57, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia,
According to an arrest report, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a maroon Mitsubishi Eclipse with an expired tag and no working tag light driving northbound on Highway 99. The officer initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Herbs Lane and Highway 99.
During the stop, officers identified Kite as a passenger in the vehicle. After the driver consented to a search of the vehicle, officers discovered three ripped baggies containing 10.5 grams of a clear, crystal-like substance, which field-tested positive for methamphetamine, tucked between the passenger seat and the center console, directly where Kite Jr. was seated, the report states. The baggies, the report states, were separated into small amounts indicating packaging for individual sale.
Deputies said a glass smoking pipe with residue was located in the same area. A black digital scale was found on the passenger seat, and a clear crystal shard was discovered directly under the passenger seat. Several unused clear plastic baggies were also found on the driver’s floorboard.
Kite told deputies he was unaware of any illegal narcotics in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle reportedly told officers she knew Kite Jr. had “something” illegal in the vehicle but was unsure what it was.
Kite remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning without bond due to a hold from Santa Rosa County where he was out on bond in an unrelated case.
The driver was given a verbal warning for the expired tag and driving with no driver’s license before being released.
Two Injured In Cantonment Highway 29 Crash
May 21, 2025
At least two people were injured in a crash on Highway 29 in Cantonment on Tuesday afternoon.
The crash happened about 5:15 p.m. near the entrance to Northgate Plaza and the Grocery Advantage. After the collision, one car then crossed the median and crashed into a utility pole.
The injured were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries not believed to be serious.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
Photos by Dylan Shipman for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Police Have Now Charged Five In Main Street Shooting Incident
May 21, 2025
A total of five suspects have now been arrested into a connection to a shots fired incident in Atmore, police said on Tuesday.
About 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, Atmore officers responded to the area of North Main and Howard Street following reports of shots fired into a passing vehicle. The Wing & Burger Box restaurant on the northeast corner of the intersection was also hit by gunfire. No injuries were reported.
Responding officers recovered a significant amount of evidence at the scene, collecting 47 spent shell casings believed to be from two different caliber firearms.
Three 17-year-old juveniles, all from Atmore, been arrested and charged as adults. Police are unable to release their names under current Alabama law.
Dexter Adams, 18, and Ryeheem Banks, 21, both of Atmore have each been charged with attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and discharging a firearm into an
unoccupied building. Both were booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Authorities said additional arrests are possible.
The Atmore Police Department is also investigating shooting incident that occurred April 26 during which multiple shots were fired into a residence in the 300 block of East School Street.
Two 17-year-old juveniles, who were also charged in May 7 shooting, have also been charged with attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling for the April incident.
Both investigations are ongoing.
Pictured top: Dexter Adams (left) and Ryeheem Banks.
Rough Sixth Inning Leads To Wahoos Series-Opening Loss To Birmingham
May 21, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Through five innings and two turns complete into Birmingham’s lineup, the Blue Wahoos’ Jacob Miller was spinning superlatives.
The third trip became rocky and led to the Barons’ eventual 6-2 victory Tuesday night that began a six-game series against two co-division leaders at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
After allowing just two hits and facing only two batters above the minimum, Miller yielded three consecutive hits to start the sixth inning, then had an errant throw and bad hop change the game.
The Barons produced three runs for a 4-2 lead, then tacked on solo runs in the seventh and eighth to pull away. Birmingham used five pitchers to combine for nine strikeouts and just one earned run.
In six prior starts, Miller had not yielded more than three runs until Tuesday.
He was provided a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Kemp Alderman lined a single with runners on second and third, and a bobbled fielding play by the Barons’ right fielder Wilfred Veras allowed a second run to score.
The Barons got a run back when third baseman Jason Matthews, who was recently moved down from the Chicago White Sox Triple-A affiliate, had a run-scoring double in the third inning. It was part of his big night going 3-for-3, reaching base all four times, and scoring two runs.
In the eventful sixth inning, he led off with a double. That was followed by a pair of singles to tie the game. Veras then hit a grounder that could have been a double play, but an errant throw to first from Johnny Olmstead allowed a run to score. Jacob Gonzalez later produced a sacrifice fly to score the fourth run.
Alderman went 2-for-4 as the Blue Wahoos’ lone multiple-hit batter Tuesday. The Blue Wahoos had two runners on in the ninth inning from a pair of walks with one out, but their opportunity ended there.
These two teams split a series a couple weeks ago in Birmingham.
GAME NOTABLES
— Guitar/vocalist Al Cunningham made his first appearance this season performing the National Anthem.
— Some roster moves occurred before Tuesday’s game. Left-handed pitcher Justin King was activated from the injured list. He went on the IL on April 30. Prior to the game, he made four appearances with an 0-1 record and 3.86 ERA. Meanwhile, reliever Zach McCambley was elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville. McCambley was the longest-tenured Blue Wahoos player, first joining the team in 2021. He ranks second all-time in club history in strikeouts with 251. In 11 appearances this season, McCambley was 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA.
— The Blue Wahoos have enjoyed success against Birmingham. They entered Tuesday with a 93-68 all-time record. This year, the Blue Wahoos are playing Birmingham twice at home for the first time. The Barons will return on Aug. 12-17.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
GAMETIMES: The games on Wednesday through Saturday night will all start at 6:05 p.m. Sunday’s game will be a 4:05 p.m. start – the first late afternoon start time of season.
Northview Dominates Branford 14-6 To Head To State Championship
May 20, 2025
The Northview Lady Chiefs are headed to the state championship.
Northview dominated Branford 14-6 Tuesday afternoon near Orlando.
The Branford Buccaneers jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first, but the Lady Chiefs answered with five in the bottom of the second and never looked back.
Northview’s five runs in the bottom of the second inning came on three hits — Addysen Bolen walked to score one run, Aubrey Hadley had a two-run single, and the Chiefs scored two runs on an error.
Northview took the lead in the bottom of the third when Daviona Randolph homered to left field, Riley Brooks singled down the left field line, and Kylee Langham drew a walk. Northview added six runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Sophomore Mikayla McAnally earned the win, allowing 11 hits and six runs in six innings, striking out six and walking one. Senior Jamison Gilman stepped into the circle for the final inning, giving up no hits while striking out two and walking none.
Mikayla McAnally and Avery Stuckey each had three hits for the Lady Chiefs. Shortstop Riley Brooks had three RBIs.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Northview will face Trenton at 1:30 EDT (12:30 locally in North Escambia) for the Rural FHSAA Softball State Championship.
We will have a complete preview on Wednesday morning, plus a link (paid, $13.99) to watch the live video from the NFHS Network. We will also be providing live score updates on Wednesday on our Facebook page.