Flomaton Crash Claims Life Of Jay Man
September 14, 2023
A crash Wednesday morning in front of Flomaton High School claimed the life of a Jay man.
The crash happened on Highway 31 just after 9 a.m. when a Dodge Dakota pickup truck driven by 68-year old Raymond McDaniel collided with a semi-truck.
McDaniel retired from the Town of Jay after nearly 20 years of service.
The Flomaton Police Department and troopers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are continuing their investigation.
IMPACT 100 Announces Finalists For Eleven $108,364 Grants
September 14, 2023
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a women’s philanthropic organization, announced their 2023 grant finalists Wednesday. Eleven of the 15 nonprofit finalists will each receive a grant of $108,364 at the group’s annual meeting on October 22.
The 15 finalists are:
ARTS, CULTURE & HISTORY
- General Daniel Chappie James Jr. Memorial Foundation — General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. Memorial Plaza
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus dba Pensacola Children’s Chorus – STEP BOLDLY: Building Confidence with a Reliable Performance Stage
- The Santa Rosa Band of the Lower Muscogee dba Santa Rosa Creek Band — Traditional Council Roundhouse
EDUCATION
- Santa Rosa County 4-H Association dba Santa Rosa County 4-H — To Make the Best Better: Finish the 4-H Field Education Facility
- The Pensacola State College Foundation – Supporting Excellence and Capacity through Pensacola State College’s Nonprofit Center
- Umbrella Learning Academy Corp. dba Umbrella Learning Academy — ULA Gives Kids a Life
ENVIRONMENT & RECREATION
- Dixon School of Arts & Sciences dba Dixon School of Arts and Science – IMPACT 100 Natural Wonders Park
- Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge dba Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge – Near to Nature: Environment Education “Wild Pursuits” Nature Clubhouse
- Ocean Hour dba Ocean Hour – Improving Sustainability in Our Pensacola Parks
FAMILY
- Children in Crisis – Wheels of Impact
- My Father’s Arrows – Rolling On to a Bigger Vision
- Valerie’s House dba Valerie’s House Pensacola – Build for Valerie’s House Pensacola Permanent Location: The Kitchen Is The Heart of a Home
HEALTH & WELLNESS
- Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida dba CIL of Northwest Florida – MILES Project (Mobile Independent Living Education and Services-Health and Wellness)
- Health and Hope Clinic dba Health and Hope Clinic – Building Health and Wellness for our Community
- Santa Rosa Kids’ House dba Santa Rosa Kids’ House – Healing: The Experience
This is the 20th year that IMPACT 100 will award grants to local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area has awarded 142 impactful grants totaling $15,092,020 to nonprofit organizations serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.
Buxton Debuts, Banfield Homers In 3-2 Wahoos Win
September 14, 2023
The Blue Wahoos’ latest new pitcher shined on Wednesday.
And another team feat was attained.
In his Double-A debut, Ike Buxton set an early tone by throwing four scoreless innings, while allowing just one hit, then Pensacola’s bullpen sealed a 3-2 victory against the Mississippi Braves at Blue Wahoos Stadium that added another season superlative.
It was this team’s 77th win, pushing them into the second-most wins in team history. In addition to that, Will Banfield’s solo home run in the fourth inning – the first run of the game – was the Blue Wahoos’ 162nd homer this season, which is now tied for the sixth-most in modern Southern League history since 1964.
On Wednesday, the team transformed into the Pensacola Pok-Ta-Pok as part of the Copa de la Diversión in Minor League Baseball.
The game began with Buxton in command. He joined the team earlier this week after pitching in 2023 for the Beloit Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins’ High-A affiliate in Beloit, Wisconsin. The 23-year-old right-hander from Sun Valley, Idaho was a 15th round draft selection in 2022 by the Marlins.
He was 6-2 with a 3.01 earned run average before Wednesday’s no-decision. Chandler Jozwiak, another pitcher who began this year in Beloit, followed and got his second win with two hitless innings.
Luarbert Arias and Dylan Bice preserved the win in late relief, with Bice getting his second save.
In the ninth inning, the M-Braves’ Cade Bunnell blasted a one-out Bice pitch out of the ballpark to make it a one-run game. With two outs, Drew Campbell singled and Cody Milligan walked on a 3-2 pitch Bice believed was a strike.
But Bice then responded by getting Luke Waddell to fly out to end the game.
Pensacola got its second run when Banfield came back up in the fifth inning and drove in Nasim Nuñez on a sacrifice fly. Nuñez had walked and advanced to third on Paul McIntosh’s single.
Norel González provided the game-winning RBI with his eighth-inning single to score Bennett Hostetler.
The third game of series with the M-Braves is Thursday, with the Blue Wahoos (77-55) taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets and wearing their specialty uniforms on “Mullet Thursday.” There will also be drink specials for those of legal age at various locations on the stadium concourse.
The Blue Wahoos will enter with a 4-6 record in the Mullet uniforms.
The Blue Wahoos’ top pitcher, left-hander Patrick Monteverde (10-4, 2.97 earned run average), will make his final regular-season start Thursday against M-Braves righthander Daniel Martinez (0-2 5.56).
Pregame activities will begin at 6:15 p.m., including ceremonial first pitches and special guest introductions. The official first pitch of the game will be at 6:35 p.m.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
‘Armed And Dangerous’ Suspect Wanted For Burglaries In Walnut Hill, Atmore, Bay Minette
September 13, 2023
Authorities are searching for an “armed and dangerous” suspect in connection with burglaries in Walnut Hill, Atmore and Bay Minette.
Mario Dewayne Mendez. 46, is wanted for a September 5 burglary on Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill where a golf cart, tools, camera accessories and other items were stolen, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators believe Mendez is responsible for multiple thefts Monday and Tuesday in Atmore where a pistol and rifle were stolen.
“Various Items from weapons and other property have been stolen,” APD said. “Mendez is presumed to be armed and dangerous due to the items stolen from various properties.”
He is also wanted by the Bay Minette Police Department.
Anyone with information on Mendez’s whereabouts is asked to call 911.
Image page top and first image below from a Walnut Hill burglary courtesy of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Bottom two images and photo inset courtesy Atmre Police Department for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Termites, Rot And Lead Paint Will Likely Cause Century To Replace Historic Community Center
September 13, 2023
In April 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $3.255 million to the Town of Century to renovate two community centers.
Now, it appears all but certain that one will be razed and replaced with a new building.
Just under $2 million was designated to renovate the historic Carver Community Center at 7040 West Jefferson Avenue. The former school building was constructed in 1945.
But time and termites have taken an obvious toll on the wood building, which sat empty, neglected and unmaintained for years by the Escambia County School District. The school district has now transferred the title to the Town of Century.
During a community meeting attended by about 50 residents Tuesday evening in Century, architect Ben Townes said the building simply has too much termite damage, too much lead paint and too many structural problems to repair with the available budget. Spending the full budget on renovating the building would likely leave a more structural sound, but incomplete, building that could not be occupied.
The remainder of the grant awarded by DeSantis, about $850,000, was designated for improvements at the Century Community Center (also known as the Ag Building) at the corner of West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard. Project consultant Robin Phillips said those funds will likely be diverted to the Carver Community Center due to unanticipated and drastic increases in construction costs.
A new Carver Community Center will pay homage to the existing structure.
An informal poll of the residents attending Tuesday’s meeting showed almost unanimous support for demolishing the current building and constructing a suitable replacement.
For more photos from Tuesday’s meeting, click here.
At least one additional public session is planned to allow residents to have input into the design of a new building.
Tuesday’s meeting was a workshop; the town council could not take a formal vote on the future of the Carver Community Center.
Pictured top: The former Carver Community Center on Jefferson Avenue. Pictured top inset: A preliminary conceptual drawing of a new community center was provided to the town council in May. Pictured bottom inset: Architect Ben Townes and consultant Robin Phillips address residents Tuesday evening. Pictured below: Residents Helen Mincy and Pastor Michael Steward were among those that spoke Tuesday evening during a workshop meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
McDavid Woman Hit Boyfriend With Yeti Tumbler, Threatened Him With Knife, ECSO Says
September 13, 2023
A McDavid woman is accused of hitting her boyfriend in the head with a Yeti tumbler and threatening to stab him with a knife.
Amber Marie Nelson, 40, was charged with felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor battery.
Nelson became involved in a disagreement with her boyfriend over how she speaks to him and his family, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
She threw several objects at him, eventually striking him with a Yeti tumbler in the back of head leaving noticeable swelling, according to an arrest report The victim said she displayed a knife and stated that she would cut him, the report continues.
The victim showed deputies a scar on his arm he said is where Nelson stabbed him previously, deputies said.
The incident happened on December 11, 2022, but deputies were unable to locate her at the time. She was arrested this week on an outstanding warrant and released Tuesday night from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,500 bond.
Picking Up One Piece At A Time: Volunteers Work To Collect Litter In Beulah
September 13, 2023
“Beulah Volunteer. Picking up one piece at a time.”
That’s what is printed on the t-shirt Sabine Ahrens often wears while out picking up litter in Beulah. Ahrens and her “picking partner” Myrna Lane have been out picking litter in the Beulah area the last few months.
They have collected 336 pounds so far.
Pictured: Volunteers Sabine Ahrens (above) and Myrna Lane (below) have been out picking up litter in the Beulah area for the last few months, collecting 336 pounds to date. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Defeats Pine Forest In Match Played With No Officials
September 13, 2023
In a match played without officials, the Northview Chiefs defeated the Pine Forest Eagles 2-0 in high school volleyball Tuesday in Bratt.
Northview took the two sets 25-14, 25-12.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Northview (5-3) will be at Laurel Hill on Thursday. Pine Forest (0-5) will host West Florida on Monday.
We were told there were no officials at the game due to a scheduling error.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Softball 10th Annual Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser Held (Photo Gallery)
September 13, 2023
Almost 100 people participated in the 10th Annual Tate High School Softball Sporting Clay Shoot fundraiser.
There were about 30 teams that took part in the event at the Santa Rosa Shooting Center.
The top three teams were Elite Mechanical, American Concrete Supply and Cordova Dentistry.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall In Extras Despite Sánchez’s Awaited Return
September 13, 2023
Sixto Sánchez bounded out of the Blue Wahoos dugout and leaped on the mound.
Just being in a game again meant a lot.
Pitching against an opponent for the first time in three seasons, Sánchez used a two-strikeout, scoreless first inning Tuesday as a first step toward what the Miami Marlins hope is a comeback from a long road of misfortune. He last pitched for them in the National League playoffs in 2020.
Sánchez, 25, once among professional baseball’s top prospects, provided the Blue Wahoos an initial lift that led into an early lead. But the Mississippi Braves rallied with a pair of home runs off Luis Palacios, then made a 10th-inning run stand, for a 5-4 victory in the series opener at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The loss ended the Blue Wahoos’ seven-game win streak. It extended what has been Pensacola’s thorn this season. They are now 1-6 in extra-inning games.
Coming off a six-game road sweep at Rocket City, the Blue Wahoos (76-55) again started fast. They worked four walks for a first-inning run off M-Braves opener Drue Hackenberg. They got another run in the second of an RBI single from Nasim Nuñez.
They took a 3-1 in the fourth by loading the bases before a fielder’s choice groundout from Victor Mesa Jr. But when Nuñez hit into a double play to end the inning, the Blue Wahoos didn’t have multiple baserunners the rest of the game.
The M-Braves (60-72), who are now 11-14 this season against Pensacola, jumped on two mistake pitches from Palacios to change the game.
Palacios was brilliant in his last outing, going eight scoreless innings on three hits in a win last week at Rocket City. He flashed some of that same effectiveness Tuesday.
But in the sixth inning with two outs and nobody on, he gave up a single to Jesse Franklin and Bryson Horne followed by blasting a pitch deep over the right field wall to tie the game. In the seventh, Cal Conley’s solo homer provided a 4-3 lead.
The Blue Wahoos tied the game when Cody Morissette led off the bottom of the ninth with a homer that cleared the right field wall and a leaping attempt by Drew Campbell.
The M-Braves won the game in the 10th when placed runner Campbell stole third, then scored on a wild pitch, by closer Jefry Yan.
The Blue Wahoos had their placed runner, Mesa Jr., reach third on a wild pitch with none out. But M-Braves reliever Brooks Wilson threw a steady succession of splitter fastballs that resulted in three consecutive swinging strikeouts from Nuñez, Will Banfield and Jake Thompson to end the game.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, former Pensacola Catholic standout Jordan McCants had a sacrifice bunt that became a game-winning play on a throwing error to score Jan Mercado as the Jupiter Hammerheads won their Florida State League playoff opener 3-2 in 10 innings.
The Blue Wahoos’ series with the M-Braves continues on Wednesday.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos