One Charged In Jay Burglaries
May 21, 2015
One person has been charged after three nearby businesses were burglarized on Commerce Street in Jay.
Joshua Gay was arrested Wednesday evening in connection with the smash and grab type burglaries. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $76,250.
The glass front door of “Jack’s Vapor” was smashed, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said Gay was also responsible for burglaries at the Farmer’s Country Market and a convenience store. Investigators said groceries, soda and a roll of pennies were stolen.
Mississippi Downs Pensacola
May 21, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves played five games that all went down to the wire at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
If you didn’t care who won, it was entertaining baseball. Die hard Blue Wahoos fans, though, left disappointed.
This time the Braves scored four runs on four hits in the top of the ninth inning to go ahead and win, 5-2, in front of 3,207 fans Wednesday. Mississippi took the series, 3-2.
The first three games between the two teams were all decided by one run.
“We’ve played some really good ball games,” said Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly of his team that fell to 17-23 and remain in fourth place in the Southern League South Division. “We had a chance to win all five. Mississippi is a good ball club and we stayed even with them.”
Pensacola center fielder Beau Amaral lined what looked like the game-winning, solo home run just over the right field wall in the seventh inning that put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 2-1. Amaral went 3-5 on the night with a stolen base, his fourth of the season.
However, Mississippi chased Pensacola reliever Zack Weiss in the ninth when first baseman Corban Joseph singled to drive in two runs to put the Braves up, 3-2. Then center fielder Mallex Smith singled to drive in two more with two out, making the final score, 5-2.
Mississippi scored first in the second inning with two out when starting Pensacola pitcher Wandy Peralta walked two and then gave up a single to second baseman Eric Garcia that drove in third baseman Rio Ruiz to go ahead, 1-0.
Blue Wahoos catcher Yovan Gonzalez scored in the third inning to tie the game, 1-1, on second baseman Ryan Wright’s single to center.
Peralta threw six innings of two-hit ball and gave up just one run but he walked six batters.
“When he continues to control his emotions he can stay in the ball game,” Kelly said. “Earlier this season, if he threw nine straight balls, he never would have finished that inning.”
Escambia Holds Hurricane Drill
May 21, 2015
A hurricane drill was held Wednesday at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center, giving local officials a chance to practice their response to a hurricane slamming into the Escambia County. Hurricane season begins June 1. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Republican Congressmen Call For LIP Extension
May 21, 2015
A dozen Republicans in Florida’s congressional delegation — including Jeff Miller — sent a letter this week to President Barack Obama calling for continuation of the Low Income Pool health-funding program. The letter from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and 11 U.S. House members took issue with efforts by the federal Department of Health and Human Services to link funding for the LIP program with an expansion of Medicaid in Florida.
The $2.2 billion Low Income Pool program, which is scheduled to expire June 30, sends additional money to hospitals and other providers that care for large numbers of uninsured patients.
Uncertainty about the future of the so-called LIP program has played a key role in a budget impasse in the state Legislature.
In the letter to Obama, the congressional Republicans described linking LIP to Medicaid expansion as an “inappropriate overreach” and listed major hospitals that would be hit hard by a loss of LIP money.
“The well-being of Florida’s low-income families will remain in jeopardy until your administration approves funding for these vital health services,” said the letter from Rubio and congressmen Vern Buchanan, Jeff Miller, John Mica, Dennis Ross, Gus Bilirakis, Ron DeSantis, Ted Yoho, Rich Nugent, Mario Diaz-Balart, Carlos Curbelo and Tom Rooney.
by The News Service of Florida
Bond Set For Century Homicide Suspect; Trial Continued
May 20, 2015
A Century man accused in a January 31 shooting death in Century was due to appear in court Tuesday, but his trial has now been continued and a bond amount has been set.
Jaran Britt Myles, 20, remains jailed on charges of negligent manslaughter and aggravated assault for the shooting death 20-year old Jonathan Wilson. Two counts of kidnapping originally filed against Myles have been dropped. His bond is now set at $260,000; he was previously being held without bond.
Myles is due to appear in court again in mid-July.
One witness told deputies that “Run Run”, later identified as Myles, pulled out a gun and asked him if he was scared of it before taking the magazine out of the weapon and pointing it him. Myles then pulled the trigger of the gun, without the magazine, but it “dry fired”, he said.
The witness said Myles then pointed the gun to Wilson’s head after loading the magazine back into the gun. Wilson then adjusted the height of the gun to his head, “correcting the placement of the gun pointed at him,” an arrest report states. The witness said when Wilson let go of the gun, Myles pulled the trigger and shot Wilson in the head.
Witness first told investigators that Myles then stuck the gun in a witness’ ribs then pointed it at a second witness, ordering the witness to drive him home. But that part of the witness’ story did not occur, Assistant State Attorney James Parker said, leading prosecutors to drop the kidnapping charges. The two witnesses did drive Myles away from the shooting scene to his nearby residence on Backwoods Road, but Myles never pointed a gun at them or forced them, Parker said.
The State Attorney’s Office reached its conclusion after further interviews with witnesses, Parker said. At this point, there are no plans to file any charges against the witnesses.
Myles has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Presents Year-End Academic Awards
May 20, 2015
Ernest Ward Middle School recently presented the following academic awards for the 2014-2015 school year:
Language Arts
- 6th Highest Academic Average – Amber Gilman
- 6th Most Improved – Madalin Roberts
- 7th Highest Academic Average – Ashlan Harigel
- 7th Most Improved – Aaliyah Pope
- 8th Highest Academic Average – Madison Kemp
- 8th Most Improved – Aurora McCann
Reading
- 6th Highest Academic Average – Libby Pugh
- 6th Most Improved – Travon Brown
- 7th Highest Academic Average – Emily Boutwell
- 7th Most Improved – Travone Smith
- 8th Highest Academic Average – Tori Herrington
- 8th Most Improved – MaKayla Dunsford
Math
- 6th Highest Academic Average – Hannah Hughes
- 6th Most Improved – Travon Brown
- 7th Highest Academic Average – Ashlan Harigel
- 7th Most Improved – Lydia Davis
- 8th Highest Academic Average – Jarius Moore
- 8th Most Improved – Sean Wilbanks
- Algebra Highest Academic Average – Austin Smith
- Algebra Most Improved – Larry Philyaw
Science
- 6th Highest Academic Average – Libby Pugh
- 6th Most Improved – Joseph Hunter Franklin
- 7th Highest Academic Average – Ashlan Harigel
- 7th Most Improved – Aaliyah Pope
- 8th Highest Academic Average – Austin Smith
- 8th Most Improved – Hayley Black
History
- 6th Highest Academic Average – Amber Gilman
- 6th Most Improved – Andrew Cook
- 7th Highest Academic Average – Ashlan Harigel
- 7th Most Improved – Kelly Johnson
- 8th Highest Academic Average – Kaylin Glenn
- 8th Most Improved – Rebekah Amerson
P.E.
- 6th Outstanding Achievement – Justin Miller
- 8th Outstanding Achievement – Shelby Sloan
Agriculture
- Outstanding Achievement – Katie Buford & Emma Fennell
Culinary(Hall)
- Outstanding Achievement – Morgan Lathan
Manufacturing
- Outstanding Achievement – Keegun Johnson
Business/Graphic Arts
- Outstanding Achievement – Meredith Morgan
Band/Chorus
- Advanced Chorus Outstanding Achievement – Kaylin Glenn & Ashtyn Carnley
- Beginning Chorus Outstanding Achievement – Mary-Paige Nassar (6th grade)
- Band Outstanding Achievement – Justin Cruce
Duke Talent Search Awards (7th Grade)
Keaton Brown
Presidential Awards (8th Grade 3.5 GPA or higher)
- Destiny Braddock
- Christopher Johnson
- Hayley Walker
- Jazmine Norman
- Anthony Day
- Emma Fennell
- Jacob Borelli
- Olivia Seals
- Taryn Janes
- Aubree Love
- Rebekah Amerson
- Tanner Levins
- Morgan Lathan
- Hannah McGahan
- Keegun Johnston
- Alexander McMinn
- Delaney Reynolds
- Aaliyah Tucker
- Austin Adams
- Gabbrielle Peebles
- Meredith Morgan
- Kaylin Glenn
- Seth Killam
- Shelby Sloan
- Zachary Prosser
- Justin Cruce
- Ashtyn Carnley
- Dalton Hamilton
- Austin Smith
- Madison Kemp
- Lydia Smith
- Katie Buford
- Aurora McCann
- Nikoal Creamer
Take Stock in Children –
- Ian Gifford, Ashten Wright & Teriana Redmond
Ruritan Award
- Shelby Bashore
Cox Hero
- Madison Kemp
Principal’s Award 6th Grade – Korben Creel
Principal’s Award 7th Grade – Steven Cotita
Principal’s Award 8th Grade – Hadden Barlow
6th Grade A Honor Roll
- Hannah Hughes
- Savannah Doremus
- Libby Pugh
- Shelby Godwin
- Maille Kilcrease
- Amber Gilman
- Sophia Cotita
- Emily Stabler
7th Grade A Honor Roll
- Kayla McKillion
- Ian Gifford
- Micah Calhoun
- Keaton Brown
- Ashlan Harigel
8th Grade A Honor Roll
- Austin Smith
- Kaylin Glenn
- Seth Killam
- Dalton Hamilton
- Shelby Sloan
A-B Honor Roll Awards
6th Grade A-B Honor Roll
- Kaley Lashley
- Benjamin Ward
- William Wilson
- Conner Byrne
- Taviana Parker
- Summer Waters
- Abigail Nelson
- Tyler Ray
- Kenna Redmond
- Cody Thomas
- Autumn Williams
- Madison Peterson
- Ariel Ward
- Bryce Korinchak
- Heather Knowles
- Logan Bryan
- Mary Nassar
- Hailey Harigel
- Maggie Amerson
- Makayla Garrett
- Nathaniel Mickel
- Abigail Levins
- Ireland Maharrey
- Rebecca Fuller
7th Grade A-B Honor Roll
- Ansleigh Maholovich
Raleigh Woodfin - Kinzie Rackard
- Teriana Redmond
- Savannah Roley
- Trevor Bomba
- Savannah Spence
- Brianna White
- Karlee’ Criswell
- Bailey Van Pelt
- Cloe Smith
- Nicholas Trump
- Emily Boutwell
- Lauren Ahern
- Kelley Bradley
- Josiah Stilwell
- Anna King
- Colby Morris
- Addison Albritton
- Marissa Rothrock
8th Grade A-B Honor Roll
- Austin Adams
- Kristopher Baxter
- Aubree Love
- Gabrrielle Peebles
- Aaliyah Tucker
- Morgan Lathan
- Delaney Reynolds
- Meredith Morgan
- Taryn Janes
- Justin Cruce
- Tanner Levins
- Marissa Bullington
- Larry Philyaw
- Jacob Borelli
- Zachary Prosser
- Alexander McMinn
- Ashtyn Carnley
- Emma Fennell
- Destiny Braddock
Information provided by Ernest Ward Middle School.
Lightning Strike Damages Home, Five Vehicles; Even Flattens Tires
May 20, 2015
A lightning strike left behind an odd trail of damage at a Molino home late Tuesday afternoon – even flattening vehicle tires.
It appeared the lightning first struck a tree at the home in the 700 block of Barrineau Park Road and ran through a pickup truck. The lightning bolt then ran along the ground, leaving behind a trench and damaging three more vehicles. The center caps were blown off the tires of some vehicles, while other tires were flattened and the tag was knocked off one vehicle. The lightning then traveled to a fourth vehicle and ran electrical lines inside the home, blowing out one of the home’s windows.
There were no injuries. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to check things out and make sure the was no fire.
Pictured: Lightning first struck this tree and truck (inset), with the bolt then digging a trench (also seen in the top photo along the edge of the concrete and in the below photo). The jolt blew the center caps off some of the vehicles’ tires and flattened tires before running to the house and shattering a window (bottom photo). NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Student Named National Merit Scholarship Winner
May 20, 2015
A Cantonment resident has been named a National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winner.
Olivia Y. Liseth iis one of Florida’s finalists to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.
Liseth attends Pensacola High School. She is planning for a career in medicine.
Police Seek Suspects In iPad Thefts
May 20, 2015
The Brewton (AL) Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying the individuals pictured. They are suspected in the theft of several iPads from the Brewton Walmart. Anyone with information on their identities is asked to call Lt. Brock Holt at the Brewton Police Department at (251) 867-3212 or their local law enforcement agency. Photos courtesy Brewton Police Department for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
End Of An Era: Daniel Smillie Retires From Escambia Road Department
May 20, 2015
Daniel Smillie, Jr. was recently honored by the Escambia County Commission as he retired with 30 years of service as a field supervisor with the Escambia County Public Works Department, Roads Division.
“The impact that his persona, and he, have had on that department are really immeasurable,” said Public Works Director Wes Moreno. “He has been a mainstay of that department…I guess it is the end of an era…He’s always gotten the job done. If you wanted the job done, all you had to do was call Danny Smillie and you didn’t have to worry about it any more.”
Smillie was presented with the usual county proclamation, a golden shovel and a new fishing rod. “I’ll surely use that,” he said quipped about the new fishing rod.
“I love helping the citizens of Escambia County,” he said. “I will miss that because I met a lot of good people.”
Smillie, a former resident of Cantonment, now resides in Beulah.
Danny Smillie, Jr., is pictured in the blue-checkered shirt. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.