Escambia County Man Indicted For Triple Homicide
September 8, 2024
An Escambia County grand jury has indicted a local man for his part in a triple murder back earlier this year.
Torrance Lamar Sumler, 23, was indicted on three counts of first-degree premeditated murder for his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting in Myrtle Grove
The incident occurred on April 28t at an adult party on West Jackson Street. According to authorities, Sumler opened fire on a parked car, killing three people. Two victims died at the scene, while the third succumbed to their injuries at a hospital.
Sumler is currently being held without bond at the Escambia County jail. If convicted, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Deadline Extended Again For Applicants For Escambia Children’s Trust
September 8, 2024
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has once again extended the deadline for applications from county residents willing to serve on the Escambia Children’s Trust.
To be considered, applicants must submit the completed Escambia Children’s Trust application and questionnaire for gubernatorial appointments with an optional resume by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20.
Resumes and both applications should be submitted via email to boardapply@myescambia.com or mailed to:
Jose Gochez, Program Manager
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
221 Palafox Place, Suite 420
Pensacola, FL 32502
The Board of County Commissioners will nominate three applicants per vacancy to be submitted to the governor for review and potential appointment. Following the board’s selection, the county administrator will notify the Governor’s Appointments Office of the selected applicants and additional steps from the nominees may be required.
To be considered for the Escambia Children’s Trust, Florida Statute criteria include the requirement that nominees have been residents of Escambia County for the previous 24 months and are willing to submit an annual Statement of Financial Interests Form. Florida Statutes also require that gubernatorial appointments are representative of the demographic diversity of the County’s population.
Per Section 125.901, Florida Statutes, the Escambia Children’s Trust shall consist of 10 members, including:
The superintendent of schools;
- A school board member as appointed by the school board;
- The Department of Children and Families district administrator, or his or her designee;
- A judge assigned to juvenile cases as appointed by the chief judge;
- A c0ounty commissioner as appointed by the Board of County Commissioners; and
- Five members appointed by the governor from candidates nominated by the Board of County Commissioners to serve a four-year term.
In November 2020, 61% of participating voters in Escambia County supported the creation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil. The Children’s Trust will provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
The ECT is responsible for assessing the needs of the children in the county and developing a strategic plan for addressing unmet needs, which must then be submitted to the Board. The ECT, like the county, must also go through the process of adopting a millage rate and budget in accordance with Florida’s Truth In Millage (TRIM) Act, and the CSC must submit an annual report to the Board as required by Florida law.
Five-Run Third Sinks Wahoos In Loss To Barons
September 8, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos saw an early lead wiped away in a 6-4 loss to the Birmingham Barons on Saturday night.
The Barons used two infield singles, a fielding error, a two-run single from DJ Gladney and a three-run homer from Jacob Gonzalez to push across five runs in a pivotal third inning.
With the loss, the Blue Wahoos missed a chance to gain ground on the Biloxi Shuckers in the hunt for a wild card playoff spot. Biloxi lost 4-3 to Rocket City in 10 innings, while the Mississippi Braves were swept by the Tennessee Smokies in a doubleheader. The Blue Wahoos trail the Shuckers by 3.5 games and the Braves by 0.5 games with seven to play in the regular season.
The Blue Wahoos jumped ahead early against Barons ace Noah Schultz, stringing together three consecutive extra-base hits in the second inning for a 3-0 lead. Paul McIntosh and Johnny Olmstead each doubled before Shane Sasaki hit an RBI triple and scored on a Cody Morissette RBI groundout. The three earned runs marked a season high for Schultz, who had entered the game with a 1.35 ERA in 14 starts.
Tristan Stevens (L, 2-3) didn’t allow a hit through the first two innings, but surrendered consecutive infield singles to Rikuu Nishida and Mario Camilletti before a Johnny Olmstead fielding error loaded the bases for the Barons in the third. Gladney followed with a two-run single, and Gonzalez blasted Birmingham’s first homer of the series to put the Barons ahead 5-3.
Birmingham added another in the fourth on a Wilfred Veras RBI double, but Pensacola relievers Matt Pushard, Chandler Jozwiak and Justin King worked scoreless baseball the rest of the way.
Gil Luna and Peyton Pallette (W, 1-0) kept the Blue Wahoos in check through seven innings. Max Roberts walked four and allowed a run in the eighth inning to draw the Blue Wahoos to a pair of runs, but Eric Adler (S, 7) escaped a bases-loaded jam and returned for a spotless ninth to seal the Barons win.
The series concludes Sunday in Birmingham, with a 4:00 CT first pitch from Regions Field.
Teen Critically Injured In Crash Near Century
September 7, 2024
A teenage male driver was critically injured in a single-vehicle crash late Friday afternoon near Century, Florida.
The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Fannie Road, just north of Carnley Road. The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver, a 16-year-old from Jay, lost control of their vehicle while traveling northbound. The truck veered off the road and wrapped around a large tree.
The injured teen was transported by Escambia County EMS to a Pensacola hospital as a trauma alert.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
The Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and Flomaton Police Department responded to the scene.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Edges PHS 27-22 To Remain Undefeated
September 7, 2024
The Tate Aggies continued their undefeated season with a 27-22 victory over Pensacola High on a soggy Friday night.
The win marked the Aggies’ third consecutive win of the season, after outscoring Fort Walton Beach and Gulf Breeze 65-0.
PHS, coming off their first win in nearly two years a week ago at Milton, briefly took an early lead. However, Tate responded with a touchdown of their own from senior Carson Secchari to regain the lead on their way to the win.
The Aggies (3-0) will end a three-game road series with Homecoming next Friday night back in Pete Gindl Stadium as they host Milton (0-3)
Northview Chiefs Fall On The Road To Freeport 36-20
September 7, 2024
The Northview Chiefs hit the road for a 100-mile trip across the Panhandle to take on Freeport.
The Chiefs returned home Friday night with a 26-36 loss to the Bulldogs. The defeat dropped the Chiefs’ record to 1-2 for the season.
Next Friday night, Northview will host the brand new Central High program for a Senior Night matchup at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Alabama Woman Claims Over $100K Prize For Lottery Ticket Sold At Pine Forest Walmart Market
September 7, 2024
An Alabama woman has claimed a prize over $100,000 for a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket at an area store.
The Florida Lottery said Octavia Joyce Harris of Mobile was the winner of $106,064.64.
The ticket sold at the Walmart at Nine Mile and Pine Forest roads was the only winning tickets in the September 2 evening drawing.
The winning numbers were 16-21-23-24-26.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 7, 2024
Here is this week’s North Escambia area football scoreboard:
Florida
Tate 27, PHS 22 [More...]
Jay 35, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 8
Fort Walton Beach 14, West Florida 0
Washington 12, Milton 7
Niceville 36, Pine Forest 14
Baker 42, Central 7
BYE: Pace
Alabama
Fort Dale Academy 42, Escambia Academy 7
Jackson 43, Escambia County (Atmore) 13
T.R. Miller 50, Monroe Co. 0
St. Michael Catholic 46, W.S. Neal 28
Excel 28, Flomaton 22 (Thursday)
Snelling Leads Wahoos To 3-0 Win Over B’ham Barons
September 7, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got back in the win column on Friday night, riding a strong Robby Snelling pitching performance to a 3-0 shutout win over the Birmingham Barons.
Snelling (W, 2-1) worked 5.2 scoreless innings of four-hit ball, striking out six to earn his second win since being acquired by the Marlins at the trade deadline. The 20-year-old lefty threw 99 pitches, his most in a Blue Wahoos uniform.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos kept pace with the Biloxi Shuckers in the hunt for a wild card playoff spot. The Blue Wahoos trail the Shuckers by 3.5 games and the Mississippi Braves by 1.0 game with eight to play in the regular season.
The Blue Wahoos loaded the bases in the first inning against Barons starter Tyler Schweitzer (L, 4-5), but couldn’t cash in. They broke through in the third inning, turning an Andrew Pintar single and Nathan Martorella walk into a 2-0 lead on a two-run double from Jared Serna. Joe Mack brought home Serna on an RBI fielder’s choice two batters later to put Pensacola ahead 3-0.
Snelling pitched into the sixth inning, departing with two outs and two runners aboard. Josh White, entering for his Double-A debut, needed only one pitch to coax an inning-ending popout.
White followed with three strikeouts in the seventh, and Dale Stanavich (S, 4) struck out five more Barons batters in a six-out save to seal the win.
The series continues Saturday in Birmingham, with a 6:30 CT first pitch from Regions Field.
EREC Releases Special Notice To EREC Water Members
September 7, 2024
EREC Water will be executing a vital EPA-mandated assessment in Escambia County to ensure the safety and efficiency of older service lines (houses built before 1989).
- EREC contractors will be properly identified and will start the process beginning of September.
- The work will be conducted throughout northern Escambia County.
- The contactor will excavate and verify service line material type.
This work will involve digging a hole about the size of a basketball on either side of the meter, physical and photo image verification of the line material, and filling the excavation holes. In some cases, the water meter will be changed out at the same time to avoid additional disruption.
EREC is committed to the health of your drinking water. If you have any questions and concerns regarding this process, you may reach out to EREC representatives at (850) -675-4521.
Based on the findings and the funds required to address and upgrade the water lines, the EREC Water Board of Trustees will consider a resolution for a loan and grant to finance the project. This meeting will take place on September 21 at 5 p.m. at the Jay EREC office.