United Way Of Escambia Celebrates 95 Years; Rebranding With New Name
May 26, 2019
The United Way of Escambia County is rebranding as the United Way of West Florida.
The announcement came this week at “Denim and Diamonds”, their 95th Anniversary Celebration Event at Live Oak Plantation in Beulah.
“It’s important, as we move forward, to have an identity that is representative of both counties that we serve,” President and CEO Laura Gilliam said. “We have a very long history of service as United Way of Escambia County. Our board and staff are excited to move forward, and write our next chapter as United Way of West Florida.”
The United Way of Escambia County Board of Directors recently approved a motion to incorporate Santa Rosa County into the organization’s service area. This came at the request of United Way Worldwide, who approached United Way of Escambia County about assuming the territory.
United Way of Escambia County currently serves more than 313,000 people. Expanding services to include Santa Rosa County will increase that number to more than 480,000 individuals between the two counties. In 2018, the organization generated financial resources in excess of $2.5 million and coordinated more than 45,000 hours of volunteer service.
Wahoos Fall By 5-1 Score For Second Straight Night
May 26, 2019
Travis Blankenhorn led off the game with a home run, but it was the only offense Pensacola would muster as their struggles against Tennessee continued on Saturday night.
The Smokies jumped on Pensacola starter Melvi Acosta, who made his Double-A debut, for eight hits and five runs early in Saturday’s game en route to a 5-1 victory before a crowd of 6,202 at Smokies Stadium.
The win clinched the series for Tennessee (25-23) and became the Blue Wahoos (29-20) sixth loss in the past nine games and their second series loss of the season.
In his first appearance with Pensacola, Acosta got through the first two innings without problem before Vimael Machin hit a two-run homer in the third inning to give the Smokies the lead. The Smokies scored three more runs in the fifth inning after three consecutive hits and a fielding error.
For Pensacola, Alex Kirilloff went 2-for-4, his third multii-hit effort in his last four games, and Ernie De La Trinidad went 2-for-3.
Beyond Blankenhorn’s home run, it was another frustrating game for the team at the plate. The Blue Wahoos had the leadoff batter on base in the fifth through the eighth innings, either by a base hit or an error. Each time, they couldn’t use the opportunity to build a rally.
The Blue Wahoos and Smokies will close out the holiday series on Sunday. After the game, the Blue Wahoos will travel back to Pensacola.
All Southern League teams have Memorial Day Monday off. The Blue Wahoos will then begin a 10-game, two team homestand, beginning on Tuesday against the Mississippi Braves.
No Arrests One Week After Atmore Shooting That Claimed One Life, Injured Eight
May 26, 2019
It’s been a week since a shooting incident that claimed one life and injured eight others at a graduation party in Atmore, and so far there’s no word of any suspects or arrests.
Chirshawn Jermaine Westry, 19, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the shooting, according to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks. Eight other people were injured.
Brooks said Atmore Police officers could hear gunfire around the property when they arrived at a party attended by hundreds of people at a community center in the former Escambia County Middle School on Martin Luther King Drive about 2 a.m. May 18. Westry was found deceased in the cafeteria of the building, where the party was being held.
Witnesses told police that a fight broke out between two females. As partygoers attempted to separate the females, numerous gunshots were fired, hitting several individuals, the police chief stated. Additional gunshots were fired, striking more victims, in the parking lot.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
National Missing Children’s Day: Search Continues In North Escambia Case
May 25, 2019
A Tate High School student last seen 18 years ago in North Escambia is among those being remembered Saturday on National Missing Children’s Day.
“As we enter the summer months, it’s a good time for parents to remind their children about staying safe, whether they are home alone, online or playing with a new group of friends,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen.
During 2018, Florida law enforcement agencies received 27,611 reports of missing children, the vast majority of whom were safely recovered.
Danielle Arion Bell was last seen at age 14 at a party in September 2001 in the 500 block of Cedar Tree Lane, between Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Cantonment.
Witnesses told authorities that Bell left a party with a man that was in his mid-twenties at the time. Escambia County deputies later questioned that man and searched his home, but he was never charged in connection with the case.
During the summer of 2007, Alfredo Gomez Sanchez, Jr. was charged with providing law enforcement with false information about his whereabouts at the time Bell disappeared. He was not implicated in her disappearance.
In October 2010, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit served a search warrant at the home.
As part of that search warrant, a septic tank behind the residence was pumped out, and dogs from Escambia County Search and Rescue were also used to search the area. Investigators said nothing was found, and they would not say what new information might have led to the search.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Danielle has a scar on her right forearm and blue eyes. She had brown hair at the time of her disappearance. Danielle, whose nickname was “Dani”, was a member of the Tate Aggies cheerleading squad. The popular teen enjoyed dancing and drawing.
Anyone with information about Bell is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Follow FDLE on Facebook or Twitter to be notified when a Florida AMBER or Missing Child Alert is activated or sign up to receive email or text message at www.missingchildrenalert.com.
Pictured top: Investigators pumped and searched a septic tank at this home on Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment in October 2010 in the case of missing teen Danielle Arion Bell. Pictured below: A search and rescue K-9 team was also on site. Pictured bottom: A septic tank company employee prepares to pump a septic tank at the home. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
School’s Out For The Summer
May 25, 2019
Friday was the last day of school in Escambia County. School will resume on Monday, August 12.
This was the first school year for the new Kingsfield Elementary and Beulah Middle schools. Kingsfield students (pictured) were sent off with a little fanfare including hugs, waves, singing and dancing.
FDOT: No Lane Closures For Holiday Weekend
May 25, 2019
No lane closures are planned on state roadways today through Monday in recognition of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The Florida Department of Transportation said even with work suspended, drivers may encounter congestion due to increased holiday traffic and/or modified traffic patterns. FDOT encourages drivers to be safe and obey any lower posted speed limits when traveling through highway work zones.
Escambia Man Sentenced For Vehicular Homicide
May 25, 2019
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to prison for vehicular homicide.
Denorris Antonio Wright was sentenced to serve 17 years in prison by Circuit Court Judge W. Joel Boles for vehicular homicide, fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer, tampering with evidence, possession of marijuana, and driving while license suspended.
Wright fled from a traffic stop initiated by an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy on June 2, 2017, successfully eluding the officer. His flight ended when he ran a stop sign at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Ember’s Landing and collided with the vehicle being driven by Sam Lee Knight of Pensacola.
Knight passed away from his injuries.
At the time of the crash, Wright’s driver’s license was suspended. After being taken into custody immediately after the crash, Wright destroyed evidence by consuming raw marijuana he had on his person.
Northview Names Students Of The Month
May 25, 2019
Northview High School has named Abe Leatherberry and Maggie Lane as May Students of the Month. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mike Hill Says He Will Propose Abortion Ban Similar To New Alabama Law
May 25, 2019
Florida Rep. Mike Hill says God has told him to sponsor a bill next year to ban almost all abortions, very similar to a bill signed into law in Alabama recently.
Hill sponsored a fetal heartbeat abortion bill during the recent legislative session that included exceptions for incidents such as rape, domestic violence and incest.
“I’m going to fight like hell to kill this bill,” Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried posted on twitter, asking for retweets “if you’ll fight for women’s rights with me”.
“We need MORE per se unconstitutional bills in state legislatures. Sad,” President Donald Trump tweeted later Friday afternoon on Hill’s plan.
Four-Run Sixth Inning Downs Pensacola Against Tennessee
May 25, 2019
A night after setting a career high for hits, the Blue Wahoos managed just five in a 5-1 loss to Tennessee on Friday evening.
After scoring the game’s first run in the third inning, the Blue Wahoos (29-19) missed opportunities with leadoff baserunners in the middle innings, then had their last nine batters retired in order to end the game.
The win pushed Tennessee (24-23) back above .500 and gave the Smokies a 2-1 series edge heading into Saturday night’s fourth game.
Pensacola scored their only run in the third. Travis Blankenhorn singled, then stole second. Alex Kirilloff followed with an RBI single.
The Smokies tied the game with a run in the fourth against Pensacola’s Jorge Alcala, who entered in the third inning after Sam Clayworked two scoreless innings in an opener role.
The sixth inning changed the game. After giving up a leadoff walk and single, Alcala committed a throwing error on a fielder’s choice play that loaded the bases. He then gave up consecutive singles that scored three runs. After intentionally loading the bases again, a one-out sacrifice fly scored the fourth run of the inning.
Alcala (5-2) absorbed the loss, his first since April 26 when he allowed six runs against Jacksonville in a three-inning outing that was his shortest this season.
The Blue Wahoos missed a chance to get back into the game when the first two batters in the sixth inning reached on walks. But Mitchell Kranson was picked off first base, then reliever P.J. Higgins got a pair of ground outs to end the inning.
In the seventh, Ben Rortvedt led off with a walk, but Higgins retired the next three batters. The Blue Wahoos were retired in order in the eighth and ninth.