Armed Robbery Of An Individual Under Investigation
May 29, 2019
Deputies responded to the armed robbery of an individual Tuesday night in Cantonment.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report about 7:45 p.m. in the area of West Roberts Road and Monica Lane, just east of Pine Forest Road. A black male armed with a knife reportedly robbed another male that was walking on the side of the road. There were no injuries reported.
The suspect was described as being 5′6″ and about 200 pounds with short black hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and black shorts.
The ECSO set up a perimeter and searched with K-9 units, but the suspect was not immediately located.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Scott Pushes Hurricane Preparedness At Escambia County Stop
May 29, 2019
Tuesday, Senator Rick Scott held hurricane preparedness press conference at Pensacola Hardware ahead of this weekend’s hurricane supply sales tax holiday and the first day of hurricane season on June 1.
Scott joined local officials and representatives from the Small Business Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to share resources and tools available to Floridians ahead of storm season.
Local hurricane preparedness information can be found here.
The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 31 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 6. During the holiday, sales tax will not be collected on the following popular items (for a complete listing of these items and other information, click here):
- A portable self-powered light source selling for $20 or less.
- A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or Weatherband radio selling for $50 or less.
- A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less.
- A ground anchor system or tie-down kit selling for $50 or less.
- A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $25 or less.
- A package of AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, selling for $30 or less.
- A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $30 or less.
- A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage selling for $750 or less.
- Reusable ice selling for $10 or less.
Pictured: Senator Rick Scott talks hurricane preparedness during a stop Tuesday at Pensacola Hardware. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Smoker Grill Blamed For Structure Fire
May 29, 2019
A smoker grill is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a detached storage building Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters responded to the a home at 9 1/2 Mile Road and Bowman Avenue about 1:20 p.m. to find flames and smoke showing from a wood frame shed that had already burned mostly to the ground.
An investigation by Escambia Fire Rescue determined the smoker grill had been placed to close to the 300 square foot structure, sparking the blaze.
The structure was a total loss, but a nearby home did not sustain any damage. There were no injuries.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Names May Students Of The Month
May 29, 2019
Bratt Elementary School has named their May Students of the Month. They are:
Pre-K
Ruth Bryan
Addison Godwin
Kindergarten
Tray Hartley
Weston Jones
Bella Coy
Chole Weaver
1st Grade
Houston Smith
Tikiya Sy;ria
Ivyonna Knight
Serenity Davis
Anniston Salter
2nd Grade
Mya McCants
Kendall Corey
Javan Thompson
Aubrey Flowers
3rd Grade
Parker Gainey
Jackson Sellers
Wyatt Mooney
Landon Allcock
Mackenzie Winchester
4th Grade
Savannah Lowry
Mikayla Ray
Presley Johnson
5th Grade
Gavin Laskley
Jeremy Thomas
Savannah Barrow
Kenslee Chavira
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary’s Luke Godwin Wins Local Essay Contest, Places Second In State
May 29, 2019
Luke Godwin, who just completed the fifth grade at Byrneville Elementary School, won first place in the Escambia Retired Teachers Association essay contest, and he also placed second in the state competition. His topic was his grandmother, Susan Moorehead, who is a second grade teacher at Byrneville. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Seeks Public Input On Tree Protection Standards
May 29, 2019
Escambia County is seeking public input on the county’s current tree protection standards.
Once the survey period has ended, the Escambia County Planning Board will host a workshop to discuss comments submitted through the survey and determine if revisions to the current tree protection standards are necessary.
Tree protection standards were originally adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in 1998 with revisions last made in 2015. Existing regulations can be found in the Land Development Code and Design Standards Manual here. Tree-related standards are available in LDC Section 5.7 Landscaping and in DSM Article 2 Landscaping. Definitions are found in LDC Article 6.
Pictured: A giant oak tree towers over a residence on McElhaney Road in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Five Home Runs Power Blue Wahoos To 7-0 Win
May 29, 2019
The Blue Wahoos launched five home runs into Tuesday’s thick, humid air during a season-high home run show in a 7-0 victory against the Mississippi Braves to start an extended homestand at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
There was plenty of entertainment at the ballpark Tuesday on the Summer Kickoff and Out of School Fireworks Night game theme.
No team in nine years had hit five home runs against the M-Braves, the Atlanta Braves affiliate, which has been an organization full of talented arms. The last time it happened was April 10, 2010.
“Home runs definitely come and go. They are contagious, I can tell you that,” said Blue Wahoos catcher Caleb Hamilton, whose two-run blast in the second inning became all the offense needed. He finished 2-for-4 while catching the Blue Wahoos tenth shutout win this season.”Other than the one Travis (Blankenhorn) hit Sunday, we haven’t hit a bunch recently, so it was nice to kinda explode out.”
No team in all levels of baseball has thrown more shutout wins than the Blue Wahoos. Tonight’s shutout came after a week of roster moves that left the Blue Wahoos without four of the five starting pitchers that comprised their rotation just a week ago.
Another former Wahoos starting pitcher, Devin Smeltzer, wowed Tuesday in his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins, throwing six scoreless innings in the Twins eventual 5-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers.
“I am so happy for him,” said Hamilton. “I love that kid to death.”
Four Pensacola pitchers combined Tuesday to rack up 15 strikeouts against the M-Braves, led by new starter Bryan Sammons, who had eight in four innings of work.
Sammons, 23, a left-hander elevated Monday from the Fort Myers Miracle, the Twins’ Advance-A affiliate, struck out the side in the first and second innings – mixed around three walks – but his pitch count (80) for innings prevented a longer night.
“It is always fun when you get moved up and make that first start for a new team,” said Sammons, a Western Carolina University grad and eighth round pick by the Twins in 2017. He pitched one game last year in Double-A for then affiliate Chattanooga.
“I didn’t necessarily have the control I wanted, but overall I will take the outing and look forward to improving from here on out,” said Sammons. It was probably a little extra jitters, but after the first batter you get back to playing baseball again. I felt I was pitching better as the game went on.”
Like the Twins have done this season, the Blue Wahoos on Tuesday displayed a diverse power show.
Outfielder Jimmy Kerrigan returned from being sidelined a month to hit a homer, his third this season. Alex Kirilloff, a top-10 overall prospect in the game, blasted his first Double-A homer in the eighth inning, following a first-inning double.
Shortstop Jordan Gore hit his first home run this season with a solo shot in the seventh that followed Mitchell Kranson’s two-run bomb three batters earlier.
“Kirilloff had his first one, Jordan had his first one, Jimmy hit one. That was very good to see,” said Blue Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego.
The win pushed the Blue Wahoos’ league-best record to 31-20 and kept two-games ahead of surging Biloxi, the Brewers’ affiliate, in the Southern League South Division, setting up a two-team race for the first half, division title between the Gulf Coast rivals.
After allowing 31 runs against the Tennessee Smokies, the Blue Wahoos staff settled back into a season-long groove Tuesday. Relievers Adam Bray, Tom Hackimer, and Sam Clay followed Sammons with a combined five innings, allowing just one hit, no walks and getting seven strikeouts.
“It’s great to see Sammons in his debut,” Borrego said. “He gave us a solid outing. He ran a little bit out of gas because of the pitches he threw, but he was able to battle through four innings.”
The Wahoos and M-Braves will square off again Wednesday night in game two of Pensacola’s 10 game home stand.
See Moon Rocks During STEAM Program At The Library
May 28, 2019
Moon rocks are coming to a library near you. The West Florida Library has borrowed real moon rocks and meteorite samples from NASA.
During Summer STEAM programs the library, the items will be on display, and there will be a program of activities to explore lunar science and cosmic impacts.
The program schedule is as follows (North Escambia locations are bolded):
- Wednesday, May 29, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Wednesday, May 29, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Thursday, May 30, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Thursday, May 30, 2 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
- Friday, May 31, 10:30 a.m. – Genealogy Branch Library
- Friday, May 31, 2 p.m. - Century Branch Library
- Saturday, June 1, 10:30 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Saturday, June 1, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Tuesday, June 4, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
- Tuesday, June 4, 2 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Wednesday, June 5, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 5, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Thursday, June 6, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Saturday, June 8, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
- Saturday, June 8, 2 p.m. – Pensacola Library
Pictured: A Summer STEAM program with moon rocks Tuesday at the Pensacola Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Mom Sentenced For Death Of 9-Year Old
May 28, 2019
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to state prison for the death of her adopted daughter.
Grace Smith, 71, received a 20-year sentence by Circuit Judge Jan Shackelford. She was previously found guilty of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse after Veronica Posey, her 325-pound niece Veronica Posey sat on 9-year old Derricka Lindsay as a form of punishment. Lindsay could not breathe and died.
On October 14, 2017, law enforcement was called to the home of Grace and James Smith for a report of an unresponsive child. It was later learned, Grace Smith had summoned her niece Veronica Posey to the home to assist her in disciplining her adopted children.
During the punishment, Posey sat on the child’s back for several minutes as she was bent facedown into the seat of a chair; and as a result, the child died from mechanical asphyxia. Evidence from the autopsy also showed the child had been severely beaten on the day(s) prior to her death, and both Posey and Grace Smith admitted to striking the child. James Smith was also present in the room when the death occurred. Both he and Grace Smith admitted being present and doing nothing to intervene with Posey’s method of discipline.
On March 15, Posey was convicted by an Escambia County jury of first degree felony murder and subsequently sentenced to life in state prison. On November 29, 2018, James Smith entered a plea straight to the court to one count of aggravated manslaughter of a child and received 10 years in state prison.
Man Facing Drug Charges After Fleeing From Deputy In Cantonment
May 28, 2019
A Flomaton man was arrested on multiple drug charges after allegedly fleeing from deputies in Cantonment.
Toney Maurice Harrison, 21, was charged with trafficking MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), possession of marijuana, resisting a law enforcement officer and fleeing and eluding from law enforcement.
An Escambia County deputy attempted to stop a Nissan Altima driven by Harrison on Highway 29 near Woodbury Circle. The deputy, with lights and siren activated, followed the vehicle north on Highway 29 to Highway 95A. The vehicle did not stop until it neared the intersection of Eden Lane and Highway 95A.
Because the deputy could not see the driver due to the dark window tint, he approached with his firearm drawn. As he approached the driver’s door, he reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana. Harrison refused to exit the vehicle, forcing the deputy to grab his shirt and pull him out, according to an arrest report.
A search of the vehicle revealed 20.4 grams of ecstasy pills, marijuana and $254 in cash, the report states.
Harrison also received a citation for window tint violation; deputies tested the window tint at 19%, below the legal limit of 28%.
Harrison was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $32,000 bond.