Missing Escambia County Man Found Safe
April 20, 2014
An missing Escambia County man for which a Florida Silver Alert had been issued has found.
Gary Nickerson, 67,was located safe Sunday evening, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He had been reported missing earlier after he was last seen in the 3100 block of Rothschild Drive off Scenic Highway on Saturday.
Faithful Celebrate Resurrection At Easter Services
April 20, 2014
Easter morning sunrise services and special church services were held at many locations across the area Sunday morning.
One of the largest sunrise services in North Escambia was held in Molino as several churches came together for a community Easter morning sunrise service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, celebrating with music and a message.
Other sunrise services were held in Century, Atmore,Walnut Hill, Flomaton, Gonzalez and Cantonment. And thousands attended a Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Son-Rise Service held at the Blue Wahoos Stadium downtown.
The sunrise services celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, an important event to the faithful. According to the Bible:
Matthew 28:1-20
Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pictured top and below: A morning “Sonrise Service” at Pensacola’s Maritime Stadium Sunday (Courtesy photos, inc. Marcus Pointe Baptist Church). Pictured inset: The sign at Poplar Dell Baptist Church sums up the Easter story in simple terms. NorthEscambia.com photo, clicik to enlarge.
Three Injured In Two Wrecks; One Cuts Cable, TV, Phone For Some Molino Residents
April 20, 2014
At least three people were injured in two Saturday night traffic crashes, including one that took out phone, internet and cable for numerous Molino residents.
The first accident occurred about 8:40 in the 6200 block of North Highway 95A, near Molino Road. A driver lost control and struck equipment belonging to Bright House Networks, knocking out services for an unknown number of Molino residents. The vehicle also struck a fence. The driver was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital with injuries that were not considered severe.
The second accident happened on Muscogee Road near South County Road 97 about 9:40 p.m. At least two people were transported by ambulance to area hospitals. There injuries were not considered life threatening.
Both accidents remain under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Pictured: Two people were injured in this two vehicle accident Saturday night on Muscogee Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
April 20, 2014
Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekend ending April 10:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Pettey was patrolling along the Perdido River inspecting fishermen. While checking a subject bream fishing along the river, Officer Pettey asked the man how many fish he had. The subject appeared to be over the bag limit. He commented he didn’t know because he wasn’t counting. Officer Pettey counted 55 bream. Officer Pettey issued the subject a notice to appear citation for over the bag limit of bream.
Officer Manning received information that two individuals were attempting to sell sheepshead (fish) without the proper license. Officer Manning contacted the FWC Investigations Section for assistance with purchasing the fish. Two individuals sold eight sheepshead to an investigator. Officer Manning issued the individuals citations for the violations.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Arnette responded from his residence to a search and rescue call after receiving information of some overdue boaters. He arrived on scene a short time later in the area of the Blackwater River where the subjects were supposed to be. After searching the area, he later located five subjects stranded on a sandbar. The subjects were wet and cold and all were safely returned to their vehicle.
Officer Lewis was patrolling near the Blackwater State Park when he observed a parked vehicle near a camping area. He recognized that it belonged to a man who had been camping there for longer than the allotted time. He also observed another vehicle parked near it that belonged to a woman who had a protection order against the man. He located the man’s camp and observed the man and woman together on the other side of the river, in violation of the protection order. He contacted the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. Officers Johnson and Hutchinson went to the scene to assist with a small vessel. The man was arrested by the responding deputy. The officers assisted the woman in removing the camp and transporting her belongings across the river to her vehicle. Shortly afterward, Officer Hutchinson was leaving the area and observed a woman flagging him down on Highway 90 just west of Harold. As he slowed to stop, he observed a badly burned man with a sheet wrapped around him. He called for EMS and examined the man’s burns. The skin was hanging from his legs and it appeared to be a chemical burn. After EMS arrived on scene and transported the man, Officer Hutchinson questioned the woman about how the man was burnt. He was originally told that the man was working under a truck and smoking a cigarette when some gasoline ignited. When he asked to see the scene, the woman was evasive and deceptive. Officer Hutchinson determined that the man had been taken to his mother’s home just before being transported to the highway intersection. After speaking with the mother, he learned that a friend had dropped him off there. He went to the friend’s residence and observed a fire burning in the backyard. He called the fire department and Sheriff’s Office for assistance. Upon their arrival, they discovered a meth lab and the scene where the man had been burnt. A woman at the residence was immediately arrested for possession of methamphetamine. The lab was turned over to the sheriff’s office for investigation.
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.
Photos; Egg Hunting With The Camp Fire Kids
April 20, 2014
The children of the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center had a couple of big Easter egg hunts last week. The first was at the Century Center. For the second, the children walked over to the neighboring Century Care Center to hunts eggs with the residents. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jacksonville Sunds Burn Wahoos 9-4 In Series Opener
April 20, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos battled back from four runs down to tie the series opener with the Jacksonville Suns in the sixth inning on Saturday night, but the Suns countered with a five-run rally to put away Pensacola 9-4 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
With Pensacola trailing 4-1 in the top of the sixth, Sean Black singled in his first professional at bat to extend the inning for Juan Duran. He proceeded to blast his second homer of the season, a three-run shot to tie the game at four. The Suns answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning against Wahoos relievers Black and Fabian Williamson. The Suns used four hits, three were doubles, and two walks to build the rally.
Brodie Greene broke out of his drought with a two-hit game including a double and a run scored. Yorman Rodriguez (3-for-4, RBI, R) and Duran (3-for-4, R, HR, 3 RBI) led the way offensively for the Wahoos.
Daniel Renken got the start for Pensacola and went 3.0 innings allowing 4R/3ER on six hits with three strikeouts. Black took the loss after allowing 3 R/ER over 2.1 innings. Suns starter Anthony DeSclafani earned his third win of the year with 6.0 innings of work. He allowed eight hits, a walk and 4R/ER with six punchouts.
The Blue Wahoos will look to snap their four-game skid on Easter Sunday with RHP Daniel Corcino (1-2, 3.92) going against LHP Andrew Heaney (2-0, 1.56). First pitch is set for 2:05 CT from the Baseball Grounds.
by Tommy Thrall
Work Continues On Rockaway Creek Road Bridge
April 20, 2014
Work continued Saturday on the Rockaway Creek Road bridge over Rocky Branch on the Alabama/Florida state line. Work on the bridge, which was constructed in 1965, was originally due to be completed in late March. Pictured: Looking across the Rockaway Creek Road bridge from Alabama toward Florida Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall In Final Game Of Series
April 19, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 3-1 to the Montgomery Biscuits in the final game of the series at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Wahoos (7-8) drop below .500 for the first time this season. The Biscuits (9-6) have won three games in a row.
RHP Michael Lorenzen pitched 5.0 innings and gave up 2 R/1ER while giving up six hits in his shortest start of the season. For the first time this season, Lorenzen did not record a strikeout. Reliever Mikey O’Brien pitched well in relief eating up 3.0 innings for the Wahoos and gave up no runs. O’Brien gave up three hits and made a great catch on a line drive back up the middle to end the top of the eighth.
Designated hitter Yorman Rodriguez had a breakout game with four hits. Rodriguez’s four hits were the most by a Wahoo in a single game this season. Shortstop Devin Lohman had a two-out RBI in the fourth inning to cut the Biscuit lead to 2-1.
Biscuits LHP Grayson Garvin was scheduled to go just 3.0 innings and did just that giving up no runs and striking out six Wahoo batters. RHP Matt Neil made his first appearance of the season in relief of Garvin and pitched 2.2 innings giving up just 1 R/ER on four hits.
LHP Braulio Lara shut the door on the Wahoos over the final 2.1 innings of the game. Lara earned the save and gave up just one hit.
First baseman Cameron Seitzer went 0-for-4 but had a sacrifice fly in the top of the first to give the Biscuits the lead. Right fielder Joey Rickard put the Biscuits up 2-0 with a sacrifice fly in the second inning.
The Wahoos travel to Jacksonville next to take on the Suns in a five-game series. The Wahoos will send RHP Daniel Renken (0-0, 0.00) to the mound for the first game of the series on Saturday. Jacksonville will go with RHP Anthony Desclafani (2-1, 3.79).
by Joey Truncale
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost to the Montgomery Biscuits 3-1 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Friday night. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Six Injured In Hwy 97, Hwy 29 Crash In Molino
April 19, 2014
Six people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Friday night at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
Officials said 33-year old Erica Wright of Pensacola was attempting a left-hand turn in her Hyundai Elantra from northbound Highway 29 onto Highway 97 when she pulled into the path of a southbound Chrysler Town and Country van driven by 62-year old Linda Murray of Lillian, AL.
Wright was not seriously injured in the crash. Three passengers in Wright’s vehicle — Bobby Ray Smith, 39; Mamie Smith, 53; and Lucy Driver, 53 — were critically injured and transported as “trauma alerts” to Pensacola hospitals.
Murray and a passenger were also critically injured and transported to Pensacola hospitals as “trauma alerts”. A dog in Murray’s van escaped serious injury.
Wright was cited for making an improper left turn.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway patrol.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, five Escambia County EMS units, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Escambia County and the Florida Department of Transportation are currently working on redesigning the Highway 29, Highway 97 and nearby Crabtree Church Road intersections and to install a red light. For more information, click here for an earlier NorthEscambia.com story.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Maintenance Work Planned For Several State Roads, Including Hwy 4
April 19, 2014
A Florida Department of Transportation maintenance contractor will be performing striping operations at various locations throughout Escambia County through April 27. The slow moving operations will be performed at night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the following locations:
- State Road 4 in Century from U.S. 29 to the Escambia River Bridge
- State Road 95 (Palafox Street) from Pinestead Road to Diamond Dairy Road.
- State Road 95 (Palafox Street) from U.S. 90 eastbound to Ten Mile Road.
- I-10 east and westbound from the Florida/Alabama state line to mile marker 2.3.
- State Road 750 (Airport Boulevard) from North 9th Avenue to North 12th Avenue.
- State Road 30 (Chase Street) from Palafox Street to North Jefferson Street.
- State Road 30 (Gregory Street) from Alcaniz to Palafox Streets.
- State Road 295 (New Warrington Road).
- State Road 292 (Perdido Key Drive/Sorrento Road).
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded by FDOT to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.