Escambia Animal Shelter Free Cat And Dog Adoptions Extended Through May 31
May 30, 2024
The animal shelter in Escambia County has extended free cat and dog adoptions through the end of the month.
Adoptions are free for cats and dogs one year or older through Friday, May 31. Puppies are available for $50 and kittens are$25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
“We recently partnered with Bissell Pet Foundation to offer free adoptions, but we want to give our community second chance to participate in the adoption special for the rest of the month,” said John Robinson, director for the Department of Animal Welfare. “We have over 100 dogs and nearly two dozen cats ready to go home with you today. Adopting is a great way to give a pet a new home while also making space at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center for other animals in need.”
View all adoptable pets at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on 24petconnect.com.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
ECSO Investigating Shots Fired Incident In Century
May 30, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate a shots fired incident Wednesday night in Century.
Deputies responded to a report of gunfire in the 200 block of Hilltop Road. A resident told deputies that they heard four to six shots outside their home and heard someone yell “where you at”. Deputies found four 9mm shell casings in the driveway at a nearby residence, and a cell phone was also located at the wood line in the backyard.
The ECSO discovered the front door on a nearby trailer was not closed all the way and cleared the residence, finding no one inside.
Deputies were unable to locate bullet holes in the trailer. A check of area hospitals did not locate a victim.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Hostetler’s Heroics Help Wahoos To Second Straight Shutout Win
May 30, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos locked down their second consecutive shutout win over the Biloxi Shuckers on Wednesday night, riding a ninth-inning RBI single from Bennett Hostetler to a 1-0 victory.
Luis Palacios, Dale Stanavich and Matt Pushard (W, 2-1) held the Shuckers to five hits, one night after a six-hit shutout win in the series opener. The Pensacola pitching staff hasn’t allowed a run in 20.0 innings dating back to the seventh inning of their Sunday game against Tennessee.
The victory helped the Blue Wahoos climb to within 1.5 games of first-place Montgomery with 22 games to play in the first half. The Biscuits were idle in Mississippi due to rain, and will play a doubleheader on Thursday. It marked Biloxi’s ninth consecutive loss, tying a franchise record.
Palacios worked 6.0 scoreless innings, scattering four hits and striking out two. Dale Stanavich was impressive in his Double-A debut, striking out three batters in 1.1 innings. Pushard entered with two on and one out in the eighth, working out of the jam to keep the game scoreless to the ninth.
Paul McIntosh led off the ninth inning with a double against Adam Seminaris (L, 0-2), who to that point had turned in 3.0 hitless frames in relief of starter Shane Smith. Two batter later, Hostetler grounded a single to left field that scored McIntosh for a 1-0 Blue Wahoos lead.
Pushard retired the Shuckers in order in the ninth to complete Pensacola’s second shutout win in a row.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Biloxi on Thursday. First pitch from Shuckers Ballpark is scheduled for 6:35 p.m
Free Sports Physicals For Tate, Northview Athletes June 8 At Andrews
May 29, 2024
Free pre-participation physical exams will be provided for Tate and Northview high school students by Baptist Health Care and the Andrews Institute.
The exams will be conducted at the Andrews Institute, 1040 Gulf Breeze Parkway only for students participating in FHSAA sanctioned sports.
For Tate athletes, the physicals will be held on Saturday, June 8 at 8:30 a.m.
For Northview athletes, the physicals will be held Saturday, June 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Important information is in the graphic below.
Northview High Valedictorian Sarah Bailey Looks To A Future Of Helping Kids
May 29, 2024
Northview High School’s Class of 2024 valedictorian is an involved, goal-oriented individual with her sights sight on a future of helping others, especially kids.
She was editor of the yearbook for two years, varsity cheerleading captain, president of the Beta Club and historian of the SGA.
Sarah said she decided years ago to set a goal of becoming valedictorian.
“This just didn’t happen,”‘ she said. “I went out of my way to do extra classes, honors classes, and dual enrollment credit.”
The valedictorian said life has been about more than just studying.
“I hang out with my friends; I lifeguard at the Atmore city pool,” she added. ” I work at the NWE concession stand, and I’ve done some other volunteering.”
Sarah also graduated in May from Pensacola State College with a general education degree.
She credits God for helping her achieve her goals.
“God really helped me through this, like whenever you really get worked up and you need a friend, God is there.”
She plans to attend the University of West Florida in the fall and major in psychology before applying to medical school “I hope to help a lot of people, specifically kids.”
“I’ve dealt with some like OCD when I was little not that I really remember but I know it happened. So, I want to do my best to help other kids and their families.”
After college, she hopes to partner in a private practice and have a family of her own someday.
For the summer, she plans to spend time playing with her Basset hound puppy Oakley and go fishing with her brother.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged After Allegedly Ramming Ex-girlfriend’s Vehicle
May 29, 2024
A Cantonment man was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly ramming his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle in a Home Depot parking lot.
Dalton Andrew Puente, 26, was charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery and two felony counts criminal mischief with properly damage.
The victim told deputies that she pulled her vehicle into the parking lot of Home Depot on Mobile Highway to avoid Puente, her ex-boyfriend.
Puente followed the victim into the parking lot, accelerating rapidly and ramed his GMC truck into her vehicle, causing it to spin and hit another parked car, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The victim and two passengers in her vehicle were not injured.
Deputies said the victim’s vehicle suffered about $3,000 in damage, including the bumper, tail lights, and driver’s front side. The second vehicle, a Land Rover, sustained about $1,000 in damage to a bumper.
The ECSO said the incident was captured be Home Depot security cameras.
Puente was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $35,000 bond.
Ray Melton Retires After 24 Years Of Fire And EMS Service
May 29, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton retired Tuesday after 24 years of fire and EMS service, eight of those years with Escambia County Fire Rescue.
“I’m honored to have served our citizens from Pensacola to Century,” Melton said. “Life safety is and always will be my passion and I will never stop that.”
“To the firefighters I have had the honor to work with, you are my brothers and sisters for life and I’m grateful to all of you,” he said. “From fire, to EMS, to dispatch, keep strong and whatever you face; The mission is above all else I’m so grateful for all of you!”
Melton’s interest in the fire service began when he was five years old when firefighters saved his life after he became sick and stopped breathing. After joining the Army at 17 as a finance specialist, he transferred to a firefighting position when the opportunity became available.
In 2016, Melton discovered his passion for fire prevention, but it came with tragedy. On an early Thursday morning, four children lost their lives in Pensacola after a water heater shorted out, causing a deadly fire. From there, Melton knew he had to do something.
Following the tragedy, Melton has worked to make sure another deadly incident like that would never happen again. While with ECFR, Melton has implemented a number of effective and innovative fire prevention programs, such as the county’s “Ready, Set, Go” wildland-urban interface education initiative, where he partners with local forestry personnel to host educational programs with urban communities that could be affected by wildfires.
Melton started the home fire safety program for ECFR. The program is an opportunity for Escambia County residents to request to have their homes inspected for any potential fire hazards, such as exposed wiring, burned electrical outlets and non-functioning smoke detectors. Since then, Melton has inspected numerous Escambia County homes and identified several potential fire hazards, leading to preventative maintenance in those homes.
Melton was honored as one of the Exemplary Public Servants for 2022 by American City & County, a 113-year old publication for government officials.
Now that he is retired, Melton plans to move to Memphis, Tennessee soon.
“I am certainly going to miss my job of bringing fire safety home to our citizens on a personal level,” he said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
May 29, 2024
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named their May Students of the Month. They are third graders Raelyn Hale and Keylan Biggs. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jury Finds Cantonment Woman Not Guilty Of Burglary, Battery
May 29, 2024
A Cantonment woman has been found not guilty of first degree felony burglary with a battery and misdemeanor battery causing bodily harm.
Christine Elizabeth Haynes, now 44, was charged in 2022 after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said witnesses stated Haynes knocked on the door before forcing her way into a home where her biological child resided despite not having custody.
An adult female suffered bruising and swelling on her right eye and also had scratches on her neck, chest and arms, deputies said.
After deliberation, an Escambia County jury returned a not guilty verdict.
Wahoos Start Road Series With 4-0 Shutout Over Shuckers
May 29, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
Four Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitchers combined for a four-hit, 4-0 shutout win over the Biloxi Shuckers on Tuesday night
Jonathan Bermúdez (W, 2-3) overcame shaky control to register 5.0 scoreless innings, setting a trend for the Pensacola pitching staff. Despite seven walks, including three from closer Austin Roberts in the ninth, the Blue Wahoos kept the Shuckers off the scoreboard for an important tone-setting win.
The victory helped the Blue Wahoos climb back to within 2.0 games of first-place Montgomery with 23 games to play in the first half. It marked Biloxi’s eighth consecutive loss, one shy of tying a franchise record.
The game was scoreless until the fourth, when Jakob Marsee led off with a double against Shuckers starer Nate Peterson (L, 1-4) and scored on a Zach Zubia RBI single. Joe Mack made it 2-0 in the sixth with a solo home run, his third at the Double-A level.
Cody Morissette added a sacrifice fly in the eighth and Paul McIntosh finished the scoring with an RBI single in the ninth.
After Bermúdez departed, Adam Laskey and Raffi Vizcaíno combined for 3.0 scoreless innings of relief. Roberts walked the bases full in the ninth, but struck out hot-hitting Mike Boeve as the potential tying run to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Biloxi on Wednesday. First pitch from Shuckers Ballpark is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.