Large Quantity Of Drugs, Contraband Found Near Century Prison; Investigation Underway
June 12, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a duffle type bag containing a large quantity of drugs and other contraband was discovered near the Century prison on Monday.
According to the ECSO, the bag was found along a roadway off Century Correctional Institution property during a routine perimeter sweep by a CCI team.
The sheriff’s office said the bag contained 548 grams of methamphetamine, 172 grams of marijuana, 100 Suboxone strips, 22 cellphones, 14 cellphone SIM cards, and other tobacco products.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tax Collector Brings Mobile Unit To Walnut Hill; It Will Be In Century Next
June 12, 2024
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s MILO was in Walnut Hill Tuesday
MILO — the Mobile Identification and Licensing Unit — was at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97.
The event offered driver licenses, identification cards, vehicle registrations and titles, and property tax payments.
Up next, MILO is scheduled to be at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on June 20.
Pictured: MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Splits Summer Baseball Double Header With Pace
June 12, 2024
The Tate Aggies B team split a summer baseball double header with the Pace Patriots Tuesday afternoon at Tate.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pace 9, Tate 3
In game one, Pace topped Tate 9-3.
Mason Williams started for the Aggies. He surrendered two hits and two runs while striking out two and walking one.
Beau Bryant, Kannon Ham, Cade McNair, and Elijah Willbanks each had one hit for Tate. Bryant, McNair and Willbanks each had one run for the Aggies.
Tate 4, Pace 1
In game two, the Aggies claimed the win 4-1 over the Patriots.
Cade Mcnair stated on the mound for the Aggies, giving up no hits and no runs in two innings, striking out one and walking one. In relief, Ethan Priest, Eliah Willbanks and Bryson Addams each tossed shutout innings for the Aggies.
Kannon Ham went 1-2 at the plate for the Aggies, and Cooper Halfacre added a hit.
Up next, te Tate Aggies A and B summer teams will host West Florida on Wednesday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Held For North Escambia Stork Stock, Providing Free Essentials For Ages 0-2
June 12, 2024
The Escambia County Healthy Coalition, a local non-profit for pregnant women, new mothers, fathers, and children ages 0-2, held a grand opening for its newest resource center for North Escambia on Tuesday
The new resource center, “North Escambia Stork Stock,” is located inside the Community Health Northwest Florida-Century Pediatrics office at 501 Church Street in Century.
The North Escambia Stork Stock is a result of the partnership between the Healthy Start Coalition and the Community Health NWFL-Century Pediatrics site where many local parents of young children come looking for quality health care and resources to care for their families.
“This section of North Escambia, in particular Century, McDavid and Molino, sometimes feels overlooked and unseen and not part of the greater Escambia community,” said Allyson Anderson, executive director of the Coalition. “And their needs are just as great or greater than anybody else in Escambia. So that is who we serve at Healthy Start, those who need it most. The point was driven deeply home to me that our work and our mission needed to incorporate all of Escambia County, not just the greater Pensacola area.”
The North Escambia Stork Stock will provide families with essential baby gear including diapers, wipes, clothing, diapers, diaper bags, pack and plays for safe sleep, breastmilk storage bags for breastfeeding mothers, and baby strollers. The North Escambia Stork Stock will have the same operating hours as the Century Pediatrics office. Clients can access the center Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., with appointments strongly preferred. The site is open to Florida residents in North Escambia or established Century Pediatrics patients.
“Our commitment to North Escambia is for the long-haul and we look forward to bringing vital resources to the community for years to come.” said Anderson.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Tate Takes On Navarre In Summer Softball
June 12, 2024
The Tate Lady Aggies took on Navarre Tuesday afternoon in summer softball action.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Lady Aggies presented over $25,000 to the American Cancer Society from their spring Strike Out Cancer Game. Click here for details and photos.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Here Are The Candidates That Qualified On Tuesday To Run In 2024
June 12, 2024
Candidate qualifying continues Tuesday.
For the list of candidates that qualified on Monday, click here.
The following local candidates had qualified for the 2024 ballot in Escambia County on Tuesday.
Escambia County Commissioner – (Partisan)
- District 3 – Lumon May (DEM)
- District 4 – Walker Wilson (REP)
- District 5 – Joshua S. Roberson (NPA)
Pensacola City Council – (Nonpartisan)
- District 5 – Teniadé Broughton
Town of Century– (Nonpartisan)
- Mayor – Luis Gomez, Jr.
The following candidates pre-filed for office Tuesday:
Santa Rosa Island Authority – (Nonpartisan)
- Jeremy Johnson
Town of Century – (Nonpartisan)
- Seat 2 – Henry Cunningham
Mack Homers Again As Wahoos Beat Barons in Fifth Straight Win
June 12, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
Joe Mack stayed hot, hitting his seventh homer in his past 12 days, and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos opened an important road series against the Birmingham Barons with a 3-1 win on Tuesday night.
Mack hit a two-run blast in the first inning against Jairo Iriarte (L, 2-4), setting the tone for a night in which the Blue Wahoos kept the high-powered Birmingham offense at bay. Luis Palacios (W, 3-4) led a strong Pensacola pitching effort with 6.0 innings, allowing just an unearned run.
Pending the results of a late game between the Biscuits and Lookouts in Chattanooga, the Blue Wahoos are tied with the Biscuits in the first half South Division race with 11 games to play.
Mack, who homered in four straight games last Wednesday through Saturday, handed the Blue Wahoos a lead they would carry the rest of the night with his ninth long ball of the season. After two Pensacola errors gave the Barons a run in the sixth, the Blue Wahoos got insurance in the seventh with a bases-loaded walk to take a 3-1 lead.
Patrick Murphy contributed 2.0 hitless innings of relief before Raffi Vizcaíno (S, 5) worked a perfect ninth for the save.
The five-game winning streak matches Pensacola’s longest of the season, and puts them at 32-25 to match their season-high at seven games above .500.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons with a matinee on Wednesday. First pitch from Regions Field is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
Failed Urban Development Center Program Late With Unsecured Loan Payment To Century, Still Owes Nearly $11K
June 11, 2024
The CEO of the The Urban Development Center (UDC) says she wants more time to finish repaying what started as an unsecured $61,925 loan for the YouthFirst Century program that suffered a complete funding cut by the Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT).
On June 1, UDC made an $11,000 payment, with CEO Dr. Jessica Griffen acknowledging that UDC still owes the town $10,925 of an original interest-free $61,925 loan.
“I was supposed to complete my final payment to the Town of Century by May 31st. I came down on Saturday (June 1) and delivered a check for $11,000 I’m paying toward my debt. That will leave me $10,925 more to pay,” she said, adding that she expected a “full payment” from the state soon.
The Century Town Council unanimously extended the next payment due date to July 8 (the Monday following the July 4th holiday).
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
The Town of Century fronted an unsecured $61,925 loan to UDC to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The loan was to be repaid by December 31, 2023, but the town council previously approved an extension to March 31, 2024.
Griffen then requested another extension to pay until May 31, 2024, “citing continual slow financial receivables for delay”.
According to ECT documentation, ECT’s contract for the year period prior to March 1 was $397,556, of which $264,058.03 was paid as of February 29, and $133,497.97 was “surrendered” because it was part of the awarded but not spent by the contract end date.
“It was use it or lose it,” ECT Executive Director Lindsey Cannon told NorthEscambia.com regarding the surrendered funding. “It’s rolled back into (other) programs, because they (UDC) didn’t use it.”
Pictured top: A copy of an $11,000 loan payment from The Urban Development Center. The account numbers were redacted by NorthEscambia.com. Inset: The Urban Development Center’s Dr. Jessica Griffen introduces YouthFirst Century to a group at the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century in February 2023. NorthEscambia.com file photo. click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue Presents Awards And Recognitions
June 11, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue held their 2024 ECFR Awards Ceremony at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church on Saturday, June 8. Medals, citations and certificates were presented to several firefighters and citizens, along with the recognition of individual promotions.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Career Fire Officer of the Year
- Lt. Keith Chapman
Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year
- Lt. Doug Sprissler
Career Firefighter of the Year
- FF Travis Litchfield
Volunteer Firefighter of the Year
- FF Christianne Barry
Lieutenant Terrell Jackson Award
- Lt. Peter Welch
District Chief Dwain Bradshaw Award
- Chief Brandon Stevens
Medal of Courage
- FF Tyler Jackson
Promotions
The following individual was promoted to Fire Chief:
- Chief Adam Harrison
The following individual was promoted to Recruitment and Retention Chief:
- Chief Yoshimi Core
The following individual was promoted to the position of Battalion Chief:
- Battalion Chief Wesley Barnett
The following individuals were promoted to the position of Captain:
- Capt. Alex Torres
- Capt. Brian Diamond
The following individuals were promoted to the position of Lieutenant:
- Lt. Jason Crabbe
- Lt. Reiner Crabtree
- Lt. Dale Dirks
- Lt. Guy Meredith
- Lt. Baylen Payne
- Lt. JP Owens
- Lt. Chase Webb
- Lt. Peter Welch
The following individuals were promoted from cadet to firefighter:
- FF Joseph Thrower
- FF Allan Beasley
- FF Kenneth Devaughn
- FF Ty Morgan
- FF Chase Boydstun
- FF Benet Silveira
Distinguished Service Medal
- Lt. Jacob Meligan (Station 4)
- Performed lifesaving aid to a gunshot wound victim on Sept. 19, 2023
- Lt. Tad Bush, Lt. Charles Bailey, FF Michael Maddrey and FF Nick Pearson (Engine 6)
- Going above-and-beyond to provide food, comfort and compassion during a call on Nov. 1, 2023
- Lt. Keith Chapman (Station 17)
- Providing cancer education and assistance
- Ray Melton (Fire Prevention)
- For his years of service to fire and life safety education
Service Recognition Medal
- Shannon Hoffman (Station 11 Support)
- ECFR photographer
- Chief Jim Pokrandt (Logistics 1)
- Provides small engine repairs, maintains the storage warehouse and provides support during calls
- Scott Jillson
- Provides warehouse and supply support
- Chief Adam Harrison
- Assumed the role of Fire Chief
- Deputy Chief Paul Williams
- His dedication to ECFR both on and off-duty
- Chief Greg Campanella
- Providing over 15 years of service to ECFR; led change in his division leading to growth for ECFR; for his leadership on new projects; his push for advanced technology within the service
- Battalion Chief Curt Isakson
- For his love and passion for the fire service; his dedication to teaching fire service education and offering free admission to ECFR personnel to County Fire Tactics conferences
- Captain Matt “On-Call” Rus
- For over 15 years of service; assistance with Firefighter 1 class and interviews of new ECFR members
- Lt. Tom Schwartz
- For 15 years of service; his involvement in the ECFR Awards Committee, Peer Support teams and CIT; pilot of ECFR’s first drone
- FF Chris French
- For over 15 years of service; his love of teaching and sharing his expertise; his motivation of others
- Lt. John VanMatre
- For over 15 years of service; his decision to come out of retirement to help with Fleet Management; his work to organize the Fleet program and keep vehicles maintained; his work to keep ECFR moving forward
- David Coulter
- For over 15 years of service to the Fleet program; working with Chief Williams and Lt. VanMatre getting vehicles serviced and repaired
- Lt. Jim Allen
- For over 15 years of service; one of first three Training Lieutenants for ECFR; leader of the Peer Support team; his deep passion for his job, training, mental health support and his family
- Lt. Lynn Garrett
- For over 15 years of service; ECFR Bugler and his commitment to playing for any agency that requests his services
Company Citations
- 04/06/2023: Water Rescue with Multiple Patients in Cardiac Arrest
- Ladder 19 – Lt. Vowell, FF Clark, FF Williams
- Engine 8 – Lt. Bosso, FF Wilson, FF Stafford, FF/PM Fike
- Squad 14- Lt. Webb, FF Coulter, FF McGuffey
- Battalion Chief 2 – BC Boothe
- 04/16/2023: Cardiac Arrest Save – 90 block of Moreno Court
- Engine 16 – Lt. Schwartz, FF King, FF Lemmon
- Battalion Chief 2 – Acting Battalion Chief Chapman
- 04/28/2023: Water Rescue – Pensacola Beach Walkover 25C
- Engine 13 – Lt. Meredith, FF Mauro, FF Huber
- Ladder 13 – Captain Barnett, FF Stivers, FF Chapman
- Battalion Chief 3 – BC Harrison
- Engine 17 – Lt. Chapman, FF Carballosa, FF Aceto
- 06/08/2023: Cardiac Arrest Save – 16000 block of Perdido Key Drive
- Ladder 19 – Lt. Sumner, FF Pittman, FF Frage, FF Jobb
- Engine 8 – Lt. Marcum, FF McCleary, FF Stevenson, FF Reeves
- Civilian – Dr. Damon Darsey, Medical Director of the State of Mississippi Public Safety
- 06/16/2023: Flooding Conditions – Forest Creek Apartments
- Chief Williams
- Chief Campanella
- FF Beasley
- FF Rosa
- Squad 14 – Lt. Saxton, FF Govyadov, FF Aceto, FF Dray
- 08/12/2023: Cardiac Arrest Save – 7100 block of Peninsula Drive
- Engine 11 – Lt. King, Lt. Rogers, FF Held
- 10/15/2023: Cardiac Arrest Save – 3300 block of Marion Oaks Way
- Engine 16 – Lt. King, FF King, FF Jackson
- 10/31/2023: Cardiac Arrest Save – Victory Assembly of God
- Engine 18 – Dan Floyd and Nick Walsh
- Engine 4 – Lt. Meligan, FF Fehl, FF Pizzo
- 11/13/2023: Motor Vehicle Crash with Extrication – Chemstrand Road
- Battalion Chief 3 – BC Barnett
- Engine 6 – Lt. Mills, FF Maddrey, FF Callahan, FF Fajardo
- Engine 7 – Lt. Hunsucker, FF Johnson, FF Muldoon, FF Boudreaux
- Engine 4 – Lt. Meligan, FF Fehl, FF Quina, FF Opielowski
- Squad 3 – Lt. Cloer, FF Hill, FF Darr, FF Neydlin
- Safety 4 – Lt. Allen
- 11/28/2023: Cardiac Arrest Save – Along Blue Angel Parkway
- Squad 14 – Lt. Longsworth, FF Werner, FF Haymer
- Engine 8 – Lt. Marcum, FF Brandt, FF Stevenson, FF Kenny
- 12/11/2023: Cardiac Arrest Save – 7900 block of Kipling Street
- Engine 7 – Lt. Gradia, Lt. Payne, FF Vera, FF Brown
Civilian Awards
- Mr. and Mrs. Tony Hawthorne
- For locating a patient stuck in the mud for six days along the Perdido River; used their boat to rescue the patient.
- Dr. Damon Darsey
- Assisted ECFR with a cardiac arrest patient in Perdido Key. Dr. Darsey is the Medical Director of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Hurricane Idalia Deployment
- The following individuals deployed to Madison County following Hurricane Idalia as part of the Tactical Response Team – 104:
- BC Boothe
- Lt. Mills
- Lt. Gradia
- Lt. Crabbe
- Lt. Crabtree
- FF Carmichael
- FF Darr
- FF Walther
Final Alarm Recepients
- Chief Gregory Rodrique – Volunteer Firefighter Station 2
- Lt. Phyllis Kurcher – Volunteer Firefighter Station 2
Every Game Is A Tie; Everyone Wins: Welcome To The Miracle League
June 11, 2024
Every game ends in a tie. Every player hits; every player scores. There are no strikeouts, no errors. Everybody wins.
Welcome to the Miracle League.
The Miracle League of Pensacola recently wrapped up another successful season at the John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Complex on Nine Mile, providing an opportunity for players of all ages and skill levels to play t-ball, baseball and softball in a safe, fun environment.
The goal is to provide an accessible, non-competitive place for children and adults with physical and cognitive challenges to enjoy baseball.
About 275 players ranging from 3 years old to 60 years old participated in Miracle League this season, in addition to hundreds of volunteers or “buddies” who are paired up with a player every game. The Miracle League fields stand out from the others at the park, with a rubber surface replacing the usual clay and grass surface to ensure the field is accessible to all.
“We make it as much like baseball as we can make it,” said Miracle League of Pensacola President and Co-Founder Larry Thompson, who started the program in 2002. “We just want them to get the whole experience of what baseball is.”
With no paid staff, Miracle League relies on volunteers to keep the program going, along with support from community partners.
In addition to Escambia County donating the land at the park for the Miracle League to use, the Parks and Recreation Department supports the organization by providing park maintenance. Over the years, Parks and Recreation has also coordinated with Miracle League to provide sidewalks, bleachers, additional field safety netting and enhanced parking options.
“We are so proud to support Miracle League of Pensacola and their incredibly important mission in our community,” Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said. “When you see the excitement on the players’ faces when they reach a new milestone or just get a chance to experience the simple joy of playing baseball, it’s absolutely priceless.”
Thompson said he’s constantly amazed by the community’s generosity, with countless individuals, small businesses, and organizations donating their time and money over the years to support Miracle League. Escambia County’s continued partnership and support have also been a huge help for Miracle League, Thompson said.
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, who served as Miracle League’s Treasurer for 15 years, said the county is honored to support Miracle League and the positive impact they continue to make in the community.
“Miracle League is a fantastic example of an organization that is changing lives for the better, by providing an opportunity for players of all abilities to feel included and have a place where they belong,” Commissioner Barry said. “I’d like to thank the many volunteers and buddies who have given thousands of dollars and countless hours of their time to support our players and Miracle League’s mission.”
While Escambia County Parks and Recreation is proud to play a role in Miracle League, Rhodes emphasized that the real credit belongs to the volunteers who work hard every day to keep the program going.
“The volunteers are such a key element to Miracle League’s mission and their continued success and growth,” Rhodes said. “We’re happy to provide the park and assist with improvements at the facility, but the volunteers are truly the heart and soul of Miracle League and the incredible opportunities they provide for their players.”
Commissioner Lumon May, who represents District 3 where the John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Complex is located, said Miracle League plays an essential role in ensuring youth sports are accessible to everyone in the Escambia County community.
“Youth sports are such a fundamental part of childhood, and nobody should be excluded from participating based on their ability,” Commissioner May said. “Miracle League of Pensacola provides an opportunity for all athletes to participate in the great game of baseball, which can be life-changing for those who might not have been able to play otherwise.”
Thompson said one of the most rewarding parts of Miracle League is getting to witness the smiles on the players’ faces and watching them overcome physical limitations to achieve things they may have once considered impossible.
“I just think it’s one of the greatest things you can do, to watch a kid hit a ball, run to second base and then get to run home,” Thompson said. “When we first started, we barely saw a home run – now it’s not uncommon to see them every game. Really and truly, Miracle League is one of the best things I’ve ever been a part of.”
One of the greatest highlights this season was being able to take two players to the World Series in Arlington, Texas, which Thompson said was an unforgettable experience. Another favorite memory was seeing Abigail, a former Miracle League player, begin volunteering as a Miracle League buddy.
“She wore big heavy crutches, and you could just see the struggle to go to first base,” Thompson said. “Here she is running as hard as she can, and her buddy is walking next to her. Now she’s signed up as a buddy and she’s attending college. I just think those kinds of stories are what dreams are made of.”
To learn more about the Miracle League of Pensacola or how to become a volunteer, visit the Miracle League website or contact Larry Thompson at (850) 393-5043.
Photos courtesy Miracle League for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
