Tate’s Kayley Groff Signs Tennis Scholarship With Coastal Alabama
April 7, 2018
Tate High School tennis player Kayley Groff signed full ride tennis scholarship with Coastal Alabama Community College.
Groff currently plays the number three position for the Tate Aggies with a 9-1 record so far this year.
“She has been a catalyst on the varsity squad for the last three years,” Tate head tennis coach David Bonucchi said.
Groff has also been a member of the Showband of the South for four years participating in Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Concert Band. She is also an exceptional academic student and a member of the Beta Club.
Pictured top: (standing, L-R) Tate High Principal Rick Shackle, Coastal Alabama’s tennis coach (full name unavailable), Tate tennis coach David Bonucchi, (sitting, L-R) mom Kaye Mathis, Kaley Groff, twin sister Haley Groff and Ronnie Antone. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Tops Washington, Northview Beats Baker
April 7, 2018
Tate and Northview both earned big wins Friday night in high school baseball.
Tate 10, Washington 3
The Tate High School Aggies Beat the Washington Wildcats 10-3 Friday night.
Cole Fryman earned the victory on the pitcher’s mound for the Aggies. He went four innings, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out two and walking one. Ryan Greene and Gabe Castro helped close out the game in relief.
For Tate: Blake Anderson 1-2, R, RBI; Ethan Bloodsworth 1-3, RBI; Reid Halfacre RBI; Trent Jeffcoat 2-3, 3B, R; Kaden Kings 2-5, RBI; Raymond Lafleur 2-4, 2B, 3RBI; Mason Land 4-4, 4R; RBI; Hunter McLean 2-3, 2R, 2RBI; Jesse Sherrill 1-2, 2R.
Northview 13, Baker 3
The Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators 13-3 Friday night in five innings in game that saw a one hour delay for rain and lightning.
Seth Killam pitched five, allowing five hits, three runs, one error and striking out seven.
For Northview: Trevor Singleton 3-3, 4R, Jackson Moore 2-4, 2B, RBI; Adam Aliff R, RBI; R; Seth Killam 2-4, 3R, RBI; Jason Fischer 2-4, R, RBI; 2-3, R, RBI; Tanner Levins 1-3, R, RBI; John Chivington 1-3, R; 2RBI.
Up next, the Chiefs will host Jay Tuesday at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse Horse Passes Away
April 7, 2018
Some sad news to report today..one of the horses that was part of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Posse has died. Karen Powell’s horse Tag passed away Friday morning. Pictured: Tag and Karen Powell during an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Posse training last November in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Trent Kite Takes Second In State Weightlifting Championship
April 7, 2018
Northview’s Trent Kite placed second Friday in the 2018 FHSAA 1A Weightlifting State Championships at Arnold High School in Panama City.
Kite, a sophomore, competed in the 129-pound weight class, setting personal records in both the bench press and clean and jerk portions of the meet.
In the bench press, Kite pressed 235 pounds, while he cleaned and jerked 210 pounds for a 445 pound total.
The 2nd place finish matches the highest finish in the history of Northview High School. Also finishing second for Northview were Greg Gibson in 1997 and Antheus Straughn in 1999. Kite is the first Northview lifter to place at the state meet since 2004, when Karlos Mims placed fifth in the 238-pound division.
Kite’s second place finish earned five points for Northview, good enough to finish tied for 13th overall in the team standings out of 61 schools competing in the meet and better than eight of the nine region schools represented at the meet.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Bounce Back With Win Over Mobile BayBears
April 7, 2018
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos bounced back after a tough loss on Opening Day to beat the Mobile BayBears, 9-1, on Friday night at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile.
The game was tied at 1-1 until Shed Long drew a bases loaded walk in the seventh inning. A batter later, Gavin LaValley roped a bases-clearing double just inside the third base bag. He would later score and the Wahoos were up 6-1.
Josh VanMeter unloaded a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to make it 9-1 and cap the Pensacola scoring. The blast was his second extra-base hit of the game. He hit a two-out double in the sixth inning.
Shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez also shined at the plate for the Blue Wahoos. The Havana, Cuba native singled three times in the game, making him 4-for-7 on the young season.
On the mound Keury Mella got a no-decision despite allowing just one run (earned) over five solid innings. He walked just one with three strikeouts. Robinson Leyer (W, 1-0) was the first guy out of the pen and he scooped up the win with two scoreless innings in relief. He allowed the first two batters he faced to reach safely, before retiring the next six hitters.
Jonah Wesely (L, 0-1) suffered the damage from the Blue Wahoos’ seventh inning rally resulting in his first loss of the season. He was charged with all five runs (four earned).
The two teams continue their five-game series with game three Saturday night at The Hank. Reds #9 prospect RHP Vladimir Gutierrez makes his anticipated Double-A debut against RHP Jose Rodriguez of the BayBears
No Injuries On Loaded School Bus In Highway 29 Wreck
April 6, 2018
No one was injured on an Escambia County School bus crash Friday afternoon on Highway in Cantonment.
There were 40 students from Jim Allen Elementary School on bus, according to Deputy School Superintendent Norm Ross. No serious injuries were reported in the passenger car that was struck by the bus. Both vehicles were moved off the roadway following the crash.
Parents and guardians of the students on Bus 19-15 were notified of the crash.
Further details have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Highway Worker Struck And Killed On Highway 29; Century Woman Seriously Injured
April 6, 2018
A highway worker was struck and killed by a vehicle Friday afternoon on Highway 29 near Siglar Road, north of McDavid.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 60-year old Sharon Odom of Century was southbound on Highway 29 when her 2006 Ford Mustang traveled off the roadway onto the west shoulder, colliding with worker Maceo A. Perkins, 41, of Pensacola and an unoccupied Dodge Ram truck that was off the roadway.
Odom was trapped in her vehicle and was extricated by firefighters before being airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with serious injuries. Perkins was pronounced deceased at the scene.
All charges are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation, according to FHP.
Perkins reportedly worked for Broadspectrum, a contractor for the Florida Department of Transportation. FDOT was unable to provide information late Friday afternoon on the nature of the work being performed.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Meth Baggies Float: McDavid Man Busted After Diving Into Creek
April 6, 2018
A McDavid man learned an important lesson this week — plastic baggies of meth float if you jump into a creek while running from the cops.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Highway 97A just east of Dan Hall Road after receiving a report of an unresponsive male and female parked under a bridge. They arrived to find a female sunbathing on the ground behind a black Chevrolet Impala and male behind the wheel. When the man, later identified as 44-year old William Hall of McDavid, spotted deputies, he ran toward the creek and dove into the water, according to an arrest report.
A deputy watched Hall treading below water level as he reached towards his pockets. After Hall complied with an order to show his hands, the deputy said he watched as two plastic baggies floated to the water surface. Hall began to swim back to the deputy and attempt to push the plastic baggies way from him, the report states.
A deputy positioned on the bridge above the creek said he observed Hall remove something from his pockets and the plastic baggies float to the surface. Deputies were able to use a local resident’s boat to retrieve the baggies from the water. The substance in the baggies test positive for methamphetamine. Deputies also reported finding a burnt glass pipe in plain view in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
Hall was charged with possession of methamphetamine, destruction of evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $11,000.
The female was not charged with any crime.
Second Century Man Arrested For Armed Home Invasion
April 6, 2018
A second Century man has been charged in connection with a local home invasion robbery with a firearm back in January.
Gregory Lavone Williams, 52, was charged this week with first degree felony home invasion with a firearm and misdemeanor criminal mischief with property damage.
Kendrick Jamar Washington, 29, was previously charged with first degree felony home invasion and aggravated assault
Washington allegedly knocked on the female victim’s door about 4 a.m. while dressed in a dark colored hoodie and camouflage pants. As she was closing the door, he pulled the door back and shoved the female backwards, according to an arrest report, with both men entering the home. Washington then allegedly pulled a gun and pointed it the victim’s face while demanding money. Washington allegedly took the cash and headed it to Williams before both men ran out the front door.
The victim told deputies she had about $1,500 in her purse because she worked as a cocktail waitress at Wind Creek Casino in Atmore and she had cashed her check there but not yet deposited it into the bank.
Williams remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $75,000, while Washington is being held without bond.
Owl Rescued From Tangled Fishing Line Is Released Back Into The Wild
April 6, 2018
A barred owl — better known as a hoot owl — rescued near Century back in January has been released back into the wild.
The female owl was successfully rehabilitated and released near Walnut Hill on Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com first brought you the story about the owl on January 28, the morning after it was found hanging by a wing that was tangled in fishing line at Salter’s Lake. After being rescued by a group of local residents, the owl was picked up by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and transported to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida.
Ben Preston, David Preston, Ross Daughdrill, Lakelynn Parker and Tammy Parker were hunting when Ben Preston went out to retrieve a duck that had fallen into a wooded area. He came upon the owl hanging from the fishing line. They covered the owl with a bag while the fishing line was cut. Ben and Lakelynn wrapped the owl in Ben’s jacket and put him in their boat.
They called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and a FWC officer met them at the Salter’s Lake Boat Ramp to pick up the owl.
The FWC warns that that monofilament fishing line and fishing hooks can snag and entangle birds, sea turtles and manatees, leading to injury and even death.
“People can prevent injury and death to wildlife by committing to stop litter of tackle and monofilament line,” said FWC biologist Ricardo Zambrano.
Tackle should be checked frequently for frayed line that may easily break. Unwanted or damaged line should be stored safely and securely until it can be placed in a recycling bin. The FWC urges those outdoors to pick up, secure and appropriate dispose of any fishing line they may see.
Photos by Ross Daughdrill and Tammy Parker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
