Suspect Drowns After Running From Deputies
July 6, 2016
A suspect drowned after running from deputies during the Fourth of July weekend.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday afternoon that deputies were investigating the theft of a cell phone about 5 a.m. Saturday at a bar in the 5100 block of North W Street. That investigation led to another bar near the intersection of Zarragossa and Palafox Streets where they observed the suspect, later identified as Johnny Hall.
Upon making contact with Hall, Hall handed the stolen cell phone over to deputies before fleeing to the dead end of Baylen Stgreet where he dove head first into the Baylen Slip Marina.
Upon surfacing, officers repeatedly asked Hall to come back to shore, which he refused. Within a few minutes, Hall went under the water, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Pensacola Police Department officers and dputies removed their duty gear before diving in the water, but they were unable to locate him in the dark water. Divers with the ECSO Dive Team, Marine Ops Unit and units from the Pensacola Police Departments were called to the scene to assist with the search and rescue efforts. .
“Unfortunately, by the time Hall was recovered from the water he was deceased,” the ECSO said in a statement.
Register Now: Former NBA Coach To Lead Bratt Basketball Camp Next Week
July 6, 2016
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a basketball camp next week with a former NBA, college and high school coach.
The camp for children ages 8-14 will be held July 11-15 from 9 a.m. until noon at the church. Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and Biblical awareness.
“We are fortunate to get someone of Coach Roger’s talents and achievements to head up this camp” said First Baptist Bratt Student Pastor Tim Hawsey. “He has a unique ability to deal with children, and his love for them is evident.” This is the fifth year the church has offered this camp.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The cost is $45 per student with a limited number of scholarships available. The funds are used exclusively to purchase shoes and basketballs for needy children in other countries where Dutremble conducts camps.
“One of the many things that blesses me about the camp is coach does not receive any salary,” FBC Bratt Student Pastor Tim Hawsey said. “The $45 registration fee will actually be used to purchase shoes and basketballs for children in other countries that do not even own a pair of shoes. Coach Roger will go to those countries and conduct basketball camps and leave the equipment with the children. Some of the children walk four or five miles just to attend his camps. So, we not only benefit from learning about basketball, but we are able to participate in missions, too. And, our church receives nothing from the $45, it all goes to Global Sports Outreach. We just have the joy of seeing children learning about basketball and Jesus at the same time.
All children participating in the camp will receive a certificate of completion and a t-shirt from Dutremble. For registration information, contact Hawsey or Sherrye Gilman at (850) 327-6529 or stop by the church on Highway 4 just west of Northview High School.
Scholarships are available if the $45 registration fee per child is not financially possible for a family.
Pictured: Students that participated in a previous basketball camp at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Inset: Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Second Game To Mobile
July 6, 2016
The Mobile BayBears scored seven runs in the first two innings and handed the Pensacola Blue Wahoos its fourth straight loss, 10-0, Tuesday at Hank Aaron Stadium.
The BayBears jumped on starting pitcher Rookie Davis, one of the Blue Wahoos most consistent starters this season, with four runs in the first inning. Davis entered the game 6-2 with a 2.67 earned-run average and 1.08 WHIP.
Davis allowed all seven runs, four earned on nine hits and one walk in two innings. His record dropped to 6-3 and his ERA rose to 3.14.
Pensacola, which won the first half, fell into last place in the Southern League South Division in the second half at 4-8. The Blue Wahoos are now 18-23 on the road this season.
Meanwhile, Mobile starting pitcher Josh Taylor, 1-0, pitched a complete game shutout giving up just three hits to Pensacola. He struck out five and gave up no walks.
Mobile sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning. The first run scored when BayBears first baseman Kevin Cron singled to left field to score second baseman Jamie Westbrook. Pensacola’s Davis then walked right fielder Stewart Ijames with the bases loaded to score left fielder Kevin Medrano to put the BayBears ahead, 2-0. Mobile center fielder Tom Belza then doubled with two outs driving in Cron and third baseman Travis Denker to put the BayBears up, 4-0.
In the second inning, Davis got the first two batters of the inning out. However, Medrano singled, stole second and then Cron drove him in with a single to right field for a 5-0 lead. Denker doubled to put runners on second and third and they were both driven in by Ijames single up the middle to take a 7-0 lead.
Mobile just kept piling on the runs, going up, 8-0, in the sixth inning when Medrano reached on an infield single with two outs and scored on a wild pitch by Blue Wahoos reliever Evan Mitchell.
In the seventh, Ijames and Mobile catcher Oscar Hernandez hit back-to-back solo homers to start the seventh. It was Ijames’ 10th homer of the year and Hernandez’s fifth homer of the season.
North Escambia Fourth Travel Almost Trouble Free, Except For A Tree
July 5, 2016
Fourth of July travel in the North Escambia area was smooth and nearly trouble-free. There were no major accidents reported on Monday in North Escambia.
Holiday traffic on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill was temporarily blocked by a fallen tree. The tree fell across Highway 97 south of South Highway 99 about 4 p.m. Skies were clear and winds were light at the time. Volunteers from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue removed the tree from the roadway by about 4:30 p.m.
AAA projected 43 million Americans would travel on the Independence Day weekend. This represents the highest fourth of July travel volume on record and five million more travelers compared to Memorial Day weekend.
Gas prices for those traveling on the roadways were at their lowest since 2005. AAA estimated 84 percent of holiday travelers, more than 35 million people, would drive to their Independence Day destinations.
Pictured: A fallen tree blocks Highway 97 in Walnut Hill on the Fourth of July. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
July 5, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending June 30 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Lieutenant Hahr was patrolling the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when a girl came running up to tell him about a man assaulting a woman in the parking lot. After running back to the parking lot, Lieutenant Hahr was directed to a truck where the man was about to leave with his family. After a short investigation, he determined that the man had been drinking and was upset with his son and daughter for getting ahead of him and his wife on their float trip. He had thrown his 14‑year‑old daughter around by her hair and violently grabbed his 17‑year‑old son by his throat and hair. The man was arrested for two counts of domestic violence battery.
Officer Clark was on patrol in Opal Beach Federal Park and observed a vehicle exceeding the speed limit. He initiated a traffic stop, approached the driver and asked for his driver license. The driver stated he left it at the office. Officer Clark could smell an odor of cannabis emanating from the vehicle. He asked the driver if he had anything illegal in the vehicle. The driver stated he had a pipe in his backpack. Officer Clark informed the driver he was going to search the bag and the driver stated that there was also cannabis in the bag. On the passenger seat, a metal grinder was in plain view. All items were seized and the driver was identified through FWC Dispatch with no valid license and as a habitual traffic offender with five previous suspensions. Officer Clark placed the driver into custody and charged him with felony driving with license suspended, possession of cannabis under 20 grams and possession of paraphernalia.
Officers Hutchinson and Clark were patrolling at Whiting Park on Blackwater River. The officers were inside the office when an anonymous complainant informed them that an extremely intoxicated person just returned from operating a vessel. He advised that the individual almost fell down when exiting the vessel. While they were standing in the office, the complainant pointed at a white male in a blue truck and advised that he was the person he was talking about. Officers Hutchinson and Clark left the office and while getting in their patrol vehicle, the truck had already started to drive off. The officers followed for a short distance observing the vehicle swerving out of the lane several times. They stopped the vehicle and approached the driver. The driver spontaneously stated that he was going to let someone else drive. He said he had been drinking and that he was not safe to drive. While talking with the driver, Officer Clark could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. Officer Clark requested the driver to participate in some field alcohol tests and he agreed. The driver performed poorly on all tests and was arrested and transported to Santa Rosa County Jail for DUI. The driver provided a breath sample of .125.
Officer McHenry was on vessel patrol in Big Lagoon State Park and stopped a vessel that did not have a registration decal displayed. While speaking with the vessel’s operator, he noticed several signs of impairment. The operator agreed to perform several field alcohol tests, performed poorly and was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Jail for BUI. The breath sample provided resulted in a blood alcohol content of .224.
Officer McHenry was patrolling the area in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in front of Big Lagoon State Park. He stopped a vessel displaying Alabama registration numbers but no registration decal. Because of the time and the amount of boat traffic in the area, Officer McHenry had the suspect operate the vessel at idle speed to the state park in calmer waters with less boat traffic. While conducting the boating safety inspection, he noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the suspect’s breath. The suspect also had red, glassy blood-shot eyes and slurred speech. The suspect voluntarily performed field alcohol tests, performed poorly and was charged with BUI and failure to register his vessel.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY — No information submitted.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Results: Jay’s Celebrate Freedom 5K Run/Walk
July 5, 2016
Almost 100 runners took part in the 17th Annual Celebrate Freedom 5K Run/Walk Monday morning in Jay. Proceeds from the event benefit the Jay Volunteer Fire Department and other local charities.
Results were as follows:
Proposed 2016-17 Escambia County Budget Now Available Online
July 5, 2016
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners’ proposed budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 is now available online by clicking here (242 page pdf).
Budget workshops will take place this month in the Board Chambers, located on the first floor of the Escambia County Central Office Complex at 221 Palafox Place. Workshops are scheduled as follows:
- Tuesday, July 12 at 9 a.m.
- Wednesday, July 13 at 9 a.m.
- Thursday, July 14 at 9:02 a.m. (as needed)
Escambia County’s fiscal year begins October 1 and ends September 30. The Board of County Commissioners approves the annual budget in September each year, following a public hearing process.
Century Council Schedules Workshops, Moves July 4 Meeting
July 5, 2016
The Century Town Council has scheduled several public workshops and has rescheduled their July 4 meeting.
The regular first Monday of the month July 4 Century Town Council meeting was rescheduled for July 11 at 7 p.m.
And the town council has scheduled budget workshops at 4 p.m. on every Thursday in July and the first Thursday in August.
All meetings are open to the public and will be held in the council chamber at the Century Town Hall.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
July 5, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- I-10 Widening – Intermittent and alternating lane closures on I-10, between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway/Exit 17), from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Tuesday, July 5 as crews perform striping work.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 and S.R. 89 from S.R. 4 to the Alabama line – Intermittent and alternating lane closures and slow moving operations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. continuing through Sunday, July 31 as crews perform striping operations.
- I-10 Widening – Alternating lane closures, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and State Road (S.R.) 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), Tuesday, July 5 through Thursday, July 7 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews continue widening work. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange for bridge work.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard)- Intermittent lane closures and slow moving operations from U.S. 98 to the toll bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. continuing through Thursday, July 28 as crews perform striping operations.
- U.S. 98 – Crews will perform striping operations and install raised pavement markers (RPMs) from the Pensacola Bay Bridge to Central Parkway (approximately nine miles) Sunday through Thursday nights through Sunday, July 31. Motorists may encounter minor traffic delays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Wahoos Lose Third Straight
July 5, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost its third straight game to the Mobile BayBears, 7-3, on Independence Day at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Mobile gave veteran minor league pitcher Ryan Kussmaul his first start for the BayBears and the 42nd round draft pick by the Florida Marlins in 2006 delivered.
The 6-foot-4 righty, who has played for independent and Mexican League teams gave up one run in 5.1 innings on five hits and two walks, while striking out six. He is now 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA.
Meanwhile, Tyler Mahle earned his first loss in three starts to drop to 2-1 with a 4.91 earned-run average. The Cincinnati Reds No. 11 prospect according to MLB.com pitched 4.2 innings, giving up five runs to Mobile on six hits and two walks, while striking out three.
Mahle entered the game 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA with 16 strikeouts in two five inning starts.
Mobile scored first in the second inning when its third baseman Travis Denker walked to start the inning and moved to third on a single to right field by second baseman Jamie Westbrook. He put the BayBears ahead, 1-0, when right fielder Stewart Ijames grounded out into a force play.
Denker, who was 0-1, walked three times and scored each time for Mobile.
Mobile added two more runs in the third inning, with the rally starting when shortstop Ildemaro Vargas singled on a bunt back to the mound. Then with two outs, Mobile first baseman Kevin Cron smacked a two-run homer to left field, his 12th homer of the season, to put the BayBears up, 3-0.
Vargas finished the game 4-5 scored once and drove in one run.
Mobile pitcher Kussmaul then helped himself by hitting a double to right field that drove in Ijames to give Mobile a 4-0 lead.
That lead increased to 5-0 in the fifth inning when Mobile’s Iljames singled to right field to score Denker a second time.
In the sixth inning, Pensacola got a run back to make the score, 5-1, when first baseman Eric Jagielo singled in center fielder Brandon Dixon. Jagielo went 3-4 and now has 18 RBIs for Pensacola.
The Blue Wahoos scored two more runs in the seventh inning. Blue Wahoos left fielder Phillip Ervin singled to center field, right fielder Sebastian Elizalde singled to right field, then third baseman Taylor Sparks singled to center field to score Ervin that pulled Pensacola within, 5-2. Pensacola second baseman Alex
Blandino then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Elizalde and make the score, 5-3.
Mobile, though, added another run in the bottom of the seventh inning when pinch hitter Rudy Flories tripled with two outs to drive in Denker for a third time in the game, putting the BayBears up, 6-3.
Vargas singled in right fielder Tom Belza for the BayBears final run in the eighth inning, 7-3.