Driver Critically Injured In Crash With Brick Post, Tree And Fence
April 28, 2019
A 19-year old man was critically injured in a crash early Sunday morning in Beulah.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 19-year old Ricky Markham was on Mobile Highway near Beulah Road when his Ford F150 left the roadway. The FHP said Markham oversteered, causing the vehicle to rotate and collide with a brick post, fence and a tree.
Markham, who was wearing a seat belt, was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by Escambia Fire Rescue.
He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
Any charges are pending the outcome of the FHP investigation.
File photo.
EREC Holds Annual Meeting, Marks 80th Year As Electric Provider
April 28, 2019
Escambia River Electric Cooperative members held their 80th Annual Meeting Saturday at Jay High School.
Members enjoyed food and entertainment and met in a business session session.
For a photo gallery, click here.
In 1937, the first meeting was held to organize Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. at the Oak Grove Community House. By lamplight, several prominent community leaders laid out the blueprints for the formation and operation of EREC.
After Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, which made loans available for the establishment of rural electric cooperatives, widespread rural electrification began. The formation of cooperatives in other parts of the country stimulated the interest of local leaders such as C. R. Walker, E. H. Lundy, J. L. Robbins and County Agent J. G. Hudson. They continued to move forward with their plans even though they were often met with opposition and skepticism.
On March 10, 1939, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. was born when the incorporators met at the American National Bank building in Pensacola to pass the bylaws, which would establish the cooperative and make their dream a reality. The cooperative’s first month of operation brought them 88 members. Since that time, the cooperative has grown to serve over 10,000 members in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with over 1,800 miles of energized line.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Cleans Up
April 28, 2019
The 11th Annual Barrineau Park Community Clean Up was held Saturday. Members of the community, including the Barrineau Park 4-H Club, worked together for to clean up along Barrineau Park area roadways. The event was sponsored by the Barrineau Park Historical Society and and the Honeysuckle Garden Club. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Browning Completes Basic Training
April 28, 2019
U.S. Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Gaven Browning graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, TX
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Browning is the son of Amanda Wood, James Browning and Angela Williams of Pensacola. He is the brother of Gabrielle and Madison Wood of Cantonment. He is the grandson of Monna Browning and Gary Shirley of Pensacola.
The airman is a 2018 graduate of Pensacola High School.
Avarie Jackson, Delaney Reynolds Named EREC Scholarship Winners
April 28, 2019
Saturday, Escambia River Electric Cooperative awarded two $4,000 scholarships to local high school seniors. The Escambia County winner was Delaney Reynolds from Northview High School, and the Santa Rosa County winner was Avarie Jackson from Jay High School.
This was EREC’s 22nd year to offer the Herman D. Johnson Scholarship Awards to graduating seniors with a parent or guardian that is a member of the cooperative..
In the past, capital credits issued by EREC that were unclaimed had to be turned over to the state. But state legislation now allows such funds to be deposited into a qualified, educational charity fund. The EREC membership voted to use these funds in the form of scholarships.
Both students will receive $1,000 for each of four years provided they continue to meet the scholarship criteria.
Pictured: EREC scholarship winners Avarie Jackson (top) and Delaney Reynolds (below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Holds Open House
April 28, 2019
The Escambia County Extension Service held an Open House and Plant Sale on Saturday at their location on Stefani Road in Cantonment.
The event featured gardening demonstrations, an introduction to various 4-H youth programs, a healthy eating seminar, cooking demonstrations, discussions about coastal sustainability practices and livestock management, and a vegetable plant sale.
There was also a chance to learn about training sessions, volunteer activities and the role of Extension in the community.
Escambia Man Faces Up To Life In Prison For Home Invasion Robbery
April 28, 2019
An Escambia County man is facing up to life in prison for a 2017 home invasion robbery.
Shaba Ryheem Savage was convicted of home invasion robbery with a weapon, kidnapping with a weapon, false imprisonment with a weapon, false imprisonment of a child under 13 years of age, grand theft, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
In February 2017 Savage and his co-defendant Terrell Williams forced their way into an Escambia County residence while armed with a long gun. Savage is alleged to have held the family at gunpoint while Williams forced the father to drive him to various ATM machines in an effort to acquire cash. During the incident, the father was struck in the head with the weapon and numerous items of personal property were stolen from the residence.
The investigation into the home invasion continued after Williams’ arrest and Shaba Savage was identified as the second intruder. Savage was ultimately identified through the use of Facebook photographs. Additionally, one of the victims located her property in a pawn shop. The investigation determined that Savage’s then girlfriend received those items from the Defendant and had pawned those items shortly after this robbery. Savage was then arrested.
Savage qualifies as a habitual felony offender and prison releasee reoffender. He had been released from prison in June 2016 eight months before this incident. He faces up to life in state prison.
Williams was sentenced to 25 years in state prison.
Wahoos Earn Slim Win Over Generals
April 28, 2019
The Blue Wahoos hung on to defeat the Jackson Generals 4-3 Saturday night at the Ballpark at Jackson and have regained a two-game-to-one series advantage over the Arizona Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate.
For the second consecutive night the Blue Wahoos took the lead in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff single from Luis Arraez, Pensacola scored courtesy of a one-out single from Ernie De La Trinidad to give Pensacola a 1-0 lead. The Wahoos would double their advantage in the third inning when Caleb Hamilton smashed a solo home run off Generals starter Emilio Vargas for his second home run of the year.
Brusdar Graterol cruised through the first four innings of the game, holding the Generals to just three hits until he ran into some turbulence in the fifth. After retiring the first two batters quickly, Graterol plunked Jamie Westbrook for the second time in the game and allowed back-to-back doubles to Jeffrey Baez and Jazz Chisholm, which tied the game at 2-2.
However, the Wahoos had a counter-punch in the seventh inning when they scored twice off former big leaguer Lucas Luetge (L, 1-1). After a lead off walk and a single, Brian Navaretto laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Taylor Grzelakowski and Hamilton into scoring position with only one out. Arraez then laced a double off Luetge to give the Wahoos a 4-2 lead.
After a clean sixth inning from Ryan Mason (W, 1-0), Ramon Borrego turned the rest of the game over to Dusten Knight (S, 5). Knight’s only blemish came in the eighth inning, when he surrendered a leadoff home run to Jazz Chisholm, which cut Jackson’s deficit down to a single run. After that, Knight was untouchable, retiring the final six batters he faced to close out the win.
Pensacola will try to capture their fifth series win to start the year tomorrow afternoon when they send LHP Devin Smeltzer (2-1, 0.72) on the bump. He will be opposed by RHP Sam Lewis (1-1, 2.41). First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.
Three People Killed In Fiery Crash Near Jay
April 27, 2019
Three people were killed in a fiery crash just outside Jay early Saturday morning.
Names of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a Ford F150 was traveling north on Chumuckla Highway when the driver drifted across the center line into the path of a southbound Jeep Wrangler.
The vehicles collided head-on, causing both vehicles to becoming engulfed in flames.
The driver and a passenger in the Jeep, and the driver of the pickup were all pronounced deceased at the scene of the 12 a.m. crash.
The FHP investigation into the crash is continuing. The Jay and Allentown volunteer fire department, EMS and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Accused Of Stealing Jewelry, Narcotics From Her Parents
April 27, 2019
A Cantonment woman stands accused of multiple felonies for allegedly stealing jewelry and other items from her mother and prescription narcotics from her father.
Kerri Ann Horton, 37, was charged with grand theft, grand theft of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and larceny of a credit card.
After the items were reported missing, Horton was located by an Escambia County deputy as she walked on Muscogee Road near International Paper.
According to an arrest report, the stolen items were reported in a bag being carried by Horton. Inside the bag, deputies reported finding jewelry, a credit card in the name of Horton’s mother, a Lowe’s in-store credit gift card, 100 rounds of .22 long rifle hollow point ammunition and 21 rounds of 20 gauge ammunition. In her purse, deputies said she had 14 Tramadol pills and 11 Clonidine pills.
Horton remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $8,000.