18 Shot, Three Dead In North Baldwin County
May 13, 2024
Eighteen people were shot and three are dead during a gathering Saturday night in north Baldwin County, Alabama.
About 9:30 p.m. Saturday, deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunshots in the Stockton Community. The preliminary investigation revealed that local residents hosted a May Day event in an open field on Upper Bryant’s Landing Road. BCSO estimated that there were approximately 1,000 people attending this gathering.
According to witnesses, the event was peaceful until an argument took place, which led to at least one subject shooting multiple rounds into the large crowd. A total of 18 people were shot during this incident. Three of the victims succumbed to their wounds.
Investigators believe that there may have been more shooters and are following up.
“This is a tragic event that touches many lives in our community. We are working very hard to bring this case to a resolution, but we cannot make arrests or successfully prosecute the offenders without help,” BCSO said Sunday. Anyone with information is asked to contact the BCSO at (251) 972-8589, option 7.
Just Two Days Remain For Free Dog And Cat Adoptions At The Escambia Animal Shelter
May 13, 2024
Just two days remain for free dog and cat adoptions at the Escambia County animal shelter.
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare has partnered with the Bissell Pet Foundation for the “Empty the Shelters” adoption event until Wednesday, May 15.
Adoptions for all cats and dogs one year or older will be free. Puppies will be available for $50 and kittens will be available for $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents. View all adoptable pets at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on 24petconnect.com.
“We are so excited to participate in the Bissell adoption event again,” said Escambia County Director for the Department of Animal Welfare John Robinson. “These events provide us with an opportunity to allow our community to see all of the wonderful dogs and cats that we currently have available at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center. We encourage you to come visit us over these next two weeks and meet our amazing animals who are ready to be part of a family.”
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
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
May 13, 2024
Ransom Middle School has named their April Students of the Month. They are Bryce Taylor and Ava Orozco. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Williams, Bignell Sign To Play College Basketball
May 13, 2024
Tate High School seniors Deonne Williams and Evan Bignell signed National Letters of Intent after successful high school careers.
Deonne Williams, a power forward, is traveling to John Melvin University (Crawley, La.) to study sports medicine. Evan Bignell, shooting guard, signed with Pensacola State College and will study sports management.
Photos by Tate High School Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Monday Morning Storms Cause Hundreds More Power Outages
May 13, 2024
North Escambia and Santa Rosa County power outages on the upswing after this morning’s storms.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative was reporting 199 members without power as the day started — nine in Escambia County and 189 in Santa Rosa County.
At 11:15 a.m. there were 2,037 EREC outages — 394 in Escambia County and 1,643 in Santa Rosa County.
Also at 11:15 a.m. Florida Power & Light reported 975 outages in Escambia County, 1,137 in Santa Rosa.
After Friday morning’s storms left over 10,000 without power, EREC received restoration help from Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc., Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, and MDR Powerline Construction.
Pictured above and first below: A contract lineman crew works to replace snapped and downed EREC power poles on North Highway 99 near Walnut Hill Friday. Pictured bottom: The downed lines before restoration started. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Complete Big Week With Special Mother’s Day Win
May 13, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos wore their usual pink, floral jerseys, but many added pink-colored shoes, batting gloves and even pink bats to recognize Mother’s Day.
No matter the occasion, however, the ballclub has so far performed its Sunday best.
After spotting Birmingham a pair of first-inning runs, the Blue Wahoos responded with a pair of three-run innings and their pitching did the rest in a 6-4 victory against the Barons, thus putting a rose bouquet on with five wins against a first-place opponent at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
If this series against the Southern League’s hottest team were a gauge, the Blue Wahoos (20-13) figure to like this performance measurement heading into a new week. The Barons (20-12) entered the series with a 19-7 record that was by far the best in the league.
The Mother’s Day win, delighting a crowd of 4,302 that included many moms and their children, pushed the Blue Wahoos to a 5-1 record on Sundays this season. This one included a parade of area school children before the game, between-inning contests with mothers involved, and families on the field afterward playing catch in the outfield.
“We’re pumped. We’re awesome,” said Joe Mack, the Blue Wahoos catcher and designated hitter, who went 3-for-5 Sunday to cap a big for him, as the team now hits the road for a six-game series against Montgomery.
“We’re ready to go, ready to get that series going and get us started off hot,” Mack said in a post-game interview with Blue Wahoos broadcaster Carter Bainbridge.
Mack went 9-for-22 in the six-game series with two RBI. He reached base at least twice in each of the last four games.
“Just being more simple with it and believing in the process and believing in God and everything. That is the main factor of life,” said Mack, who grew up in Williamsville, New York, located near Buffalo, and was chosen in 2021 by the Miami Marlins in the competitive balance round of that draft.
“Just not trying to do too much and keeping my approach to the left side to the field and just put myself in a good position to help the team as best as possible,” Mack said, when reflecting on his approach Sunday.
After the Barons took a 2-0 lead against Blue Wahoos starter Paul Campbell, who then settled into a groove, the Blue Wahoos quickly answered in their half of the first inning.
The first five Blue Wahoos batters reached base against Barons righthander Drew Thorpe, the Chicago White Sox No. 3 overall ranked prospect, who was dominating in his earlier start this week. He carried a 5-1 record and 1.01 earned run average into the game.
It was different this time around. Thorpe did not survive the first inning.
With the bases loaded, Thorpe gave up an RBI single to Mack, followed by a two-run single to Paul McIntosh. After being lifted with two outs in the first, the Barons used five relievers.
The Blue Wahoos, meanwhile, countered with four relievers to follow Campbell, who earned his fourth win in working five innings, giving up five hits, recording five strikeouts and issuing just one walk.
After the Barons tied the game in the fourth inning, the Blue Wahoos answered with a 3-run fifth inning that became decisive.
Nathan Martorella led off with a single, went to third on Mack’s double, then McIntosh was intentionally walked to load the bases. Jacob Berry hit a ground ball that third baseman Jason Matthews bobbled for no play, thus scoring Martorella.
Cody Morissette had an RBI groundout and Harrison Spohn added an RBI single to make it a 6-3 lead.
The final four innings, the Blue Wahoos bullpen took over. In the ninth, however, the Barons made it suspenseful when by loading the bases with one out. Blue Wahoos reliever Matt Pushard induced a run-scoring groundout for the second out and then got dangerous clean-up hitter Tim Elko to fly out on a 1-2 curveball to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos will take Monday off, then leave on Tuesday morning for Montgomery and their second road series against the Biscuits. They lost five of six games to Montgomery in the second week of the season, but have since played well with a 13-3 record in their last three series.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Blue Wahoos vs. Montgomery Biscuits
WHEN: Tuesday Thru May 19th.
WHERE: Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery, Alabama.
Pickup Truck Burns After Crashing Off Pine Barren Road Bridge
May 12, 2024
A pickup truck crashed off a Pine Barren Road bridge and burned early Sunday morning.
The crash happened about 3:25 a.m. at a bridge over Canoe Creek, just south of Highway 168.
Firefighters from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived to find the red Toyota Tundra off the bridge and fully involved in fire in the edge of the creek. The crash has just recently occurred; the truck’s headlights were still on.
There driver of the vehicle was not on the scene following crash. There were no known injuries.
The crash and fire caused minor damage to the wooden wing wall of the bridge; the bridge remains opens.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol are investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EREC Continues Power Restoration Efforts
May 12, 2024
Escambia River Electric Cooperative hopes to finish power restoration in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties on Sunday.
As of 1 a.m. Sunday, EREC was reporting 889 members still without power in Escambia County and 1,777 in Santa Rosa County.
Over 10,000 members lost power during severe storms before daybreak Friday.
Manpower hard at work to restore power on Saturday included 14 from Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, 30 from Withlahoochee, 70 from MDR and nine from Cheloco Cooperative. The total including EREC line workers and support staff was 197.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Rotary Recognized North Escambia Teachers Of The Year
May 12, 2024
The Rotary Club of Cantonment recently recognized teacher of the year from 12 schools located North of Nine Mile Road.
Rotarian Jim Prim worked with District 5 School Board Member Bill Slayton to organize the program.
The following teachers were recognized:
- Mary Lewis, Jim Allen Elementary
- Genia Bashore, Bratt Elementary
- Jennifer Smith, Kingsfield Elementary,
- Rionna Wages, Lipscomb Elementary
- Candace Blackburn, Molino Park Elementary
- Rosanna Newman, Westgate School
- Cassi McGee, Pine Meadow Elementary (also ECSD teacher of the year)
- Lisa Thomas, McArthur Elementary
- Glenda Bell, Ernest Ward Middle
- Angela Rose, Ransom Middle
- Megan Carroll, Northview High School
- Cristy Mills, Tate High School
Superintendent Keith Leonard was also in attendance. This is an annual event sponsored by Cantonment Rotary.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Littering And Red Snapper
May 12, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Cushing and Waters conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel in Bayou Chico that was returning from a fishing trip. Officer Waters discovered one red snapper in the cooler. The owner of the vessel stated he didn’t know how it got in there. He was issued a citation for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Land and Mullins received information about a litter complaint in Yellow River Wildlife Management Area. A large television and multiple contractor bags of discarded painting supplies had been illegally dumped in the area. The officers identified potential subjects and interviewed them and they admitted to dumping items in the area. Each subject was issued a notice to appear. The subjects returned to the dump site to clean up the area and dispose of the items properly.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.