ECSO: ‘Toolbox Drug Dealer’ Arrested With Fentanyl, Meth After Highway 29 Traffic Stop
July 5, 2023
A man the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office dubbed the “toolbox drug dealer” was arrested on multiple drug charges Tuesday after a traffic stop on Highway 29.
James Clarence Davis, 52, was charged with trafficking fentanyl four grams or more, trafficking methamphetamine 14 grams or more, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, attached registration license plate not assigned, and driving with a license from another state when Florida license suspended. He was booked in the Escambia County Jail with bound set at $113,000.
An Escambia County deputy stopped Davis at the intersection of Highway 29 and Kenmore Road for a seat belt violation and an improperly registered vehicle, During the stop, ECSO K-9 Ray alerted on the vehicle.
Deputies located a Milwaukee toolbox containing an “organized drug dealer kit,”, according to the ECSO. Deputies reported finding fentanyl, meth, scales, smoking pipes, baggies, needles and brass knuckles inside the toolbox.
Photos courtesy ECSO for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Commission Meeting Canceled This Week
July 5, 2023
The Escambia County Commission meeting that was scheduled for Thursday evening, July 6 has been canceled.
The corresponding Agenda Review meeting and Gary Sansing Public Forum are also canceled.
The commission is set to begin budget workshops with an all-day meeting beginning at 9 a.m. on July 10. Other commission meetings on the schedule this month include a Committee of the Whole workshop at 9 a.m. on July 13 and a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. on July 18.
Festive 4th For The Wahoos, But Hostetler’s Homer Not Enough
July 5, 2023
Specialty uniforms and a holiday-dressed, capacity crowd became the brightest sparkle for the Blue Wahoos on the Fourth of July.
The game itself went the other way.
In their first trip this season into Blue Wahoos Stadium, the Biloxi Shuckers jumped to a big, early-inning lead, then held off Pensacola’s comeback attempts for an 8-5 victory in Tuesday’s sun-splashed start to a six-game series between the Gulf Coast neighbors.
The Blue Wahoos were playing their first home game in 16 days and the first since winning the first half Southern League South Division. This was just the second time in the past 10 years the Blue Wahoos played at home on July 4.
The game time (4:05 p.m.) was designed to allow fans to exit and have an opportunity to take in the Pensacola Symphony concert at the amphitheater behind center field, as well as the annual downtown fireworks show that occurred on a waterfront setup across from Bayfront Parkway.
The Blue Wahoos wore specialty Independence Day designed jerseys, which were auctioned during the game to fans with proceeds donated to Folds of Honor. There was also a pie-eating contest at the end of the first inning.
The Blue Wahoos also honored a long-time usher, who is a decorated military veteran, as a new salute sponsored by Vannoy’s Tires during the grounds crew redressing the infield in the fifth inning.
By then, however, the Shuckers had gained control of the game.
Six of the runs came against Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer, who has been among the team’s most effective in the rotation this season.
On this day, however, Fitterer (4-3, 4.34 ERA) struggled with his fastball and the Shuckers took full advantage. Fitterer allowed a season-high six runs, all of them in the first three innings.
The Shuckers batted around in a five-run third inning that featured four singles and a double, all part of the Shuckers’ 11 hits. In both of the innings Fitterer allowed runs, the frame began with a four-pitch walk.
In the third, leadoff batter Lamar Sparks reached and scored on a fielding error. He then scored again on a bases-loaded walk. In between, Biloxi had five consecutive batters reach base. It led to an early exit for Fitterer, who worked four innings and gave up seven hits – his second-most this season.
The Blue Wahoos got a pair of runs in the sixth on Troy Johnston’s run-scoring double and Griffin Conine’s RBI single. Johnston had another big day at the plate, going 3-for-3 and reaching base all five times with a pair of walks to raise his batting average to .272.
Bennett Hostetler followed in the ninth with a three-run homer with one out. Johnston drew a two-out walk before José Devers flied out to end the game.
The loss evened the Blue Wahoos’ home record at 17-17 and continued the team’s misfortune at their ballpark. On the road, the Blue Wahoos are 27-14, which is how they became the first half Southern League South Division winners.
The second game of the week-long series against the Shuckers is Wednesday night with the Blue Wahoos’ Jake Eder pitching in his first game at Blue Wahoos Stadium since the 2021 season. Eder, a fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft, who is rated the Marlins’ No. 4 overall prospect, dazzled two years ago with a 1.77 ERA with the Blue Wahoos and appearance in the 2021 Futures Game.
The lefthander then had Tommy John surgery in 2021 and started on the recovery road in 2022 when suffering a foot injury that sidelined him until recently. After pitching twice in the past two weeks on the road, Wednesday will be Eder’s much-anticipated return to Blue Wahoos Stadium.
by Bill Vilona, photos Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Man Airlifted From Century After Accidentally Shooting Himself
July 4, 2023
An adult male was flown to the hospital from Century Monday evening after accidentally shooting himself in the leg.
The man was a passenger in an automobile when he located a firearm in the glovebox. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he handled the weapon improperly, causing it to go off. The driver continued about a mile to the Whataburger on North Century Boulevard where deputies, the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
The man was airlifted from a nearby parking lot by Medstar Air Care helicopter.
Deputies said the incident was completely an accident. The vehicle’s driver was not injured.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cost of 4th Of July Cookout Down Slightly From 10-Year High, Farm Bureau Says
July 4, 2023
Celebrating the Fourth of July with a cookout will cost significantly more than two years ago, although prices have fallen slightly from record highs in 2022. Families will pay $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout with 10 family members or friends, based on the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation marketbasket survey.
The $67.73 grocery bill is down 3% from 2022, but still approximately 14% higher than prices were just two years ago. Last year set a record high since AFBF began the survey in 2013, and 2023 comes in as the second-highest cost. The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products.
The marketbasket survey shows a year-to-year increase in the cost of hamburger buns, beef and potato salad, while there are drops in the cost of chicken breasts, lemonade and cookies.
The retail price for a package of eight hamburger buns increased 17% to $2.26. Homemade potato salad will cost $3.44, up 5% from 2022. The cost of 2 pounds of ground beef rose 4% to $11.54.
Our survey found one exception to the increased price of processed foods. A package of cookies will cost 10% less than 2022. The price of chicken breasts and eggs, which had reached record-high prices in 2022, are both lower. This is good news as the number of avian influenza cases has fallen, which has allowed chicken populations to recover. Lemonade is 16% less expensive, at $3.73, due to a drop in the cost of lemons.
Although historically high, the cost of the cookout breaks down to less than $7 per person. When put in a global context, Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than any other country.
Volunteer shoppers across the country, including Farm Bureau members and others, collected data from different stores in every state and Puerto Rico. The purchased were made prior to any Fourth of July week grocery sales.
Individual Prices, AFBF 2023 Summer Cookout
- 2 pounds of ground beef, $11.54 (+4%)
- 2 pounds of chicken breasts, $8.14 (-9%)
- 3 pounds of pork chops, $14.37 (-6%)
- 1 pound of cheese, $3.53 (no change)
- 1 package of hamburger buns, $2.26 (+17%)
- 2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.44 (+5%)
- 32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.44 (-3%)
- 16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.53 (-4%)
- 13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $3.90 (-10%)
- ½ gallon of ice cream, $5.29 (+3%)
- 2 pints of strawberries, $4.56 (+3%)
- 2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $3.73 (-16%)
North End Elite 8U Wins Stars, Stripes & Softball Tournament
July 4, 2023
The North End Elite 8U team took first place in the USFA Stars, Stripes & Softball tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bermudez, Blue Wahoos Blank Biscuits In Road Trip Finale
July 4, 2023
Three Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitchers combined for a two-hit shutout in the finale of their two-week road trip on Monday night, beating the Montgomery Biscuits by a score of 9-0.
Jonathan Bermudez (W, 2-2) tied a career high with 10 strikeouts over 6.0 scoreless, two-hit innings before Matt Pushard and Josan Méndez finished the job with hitless relief. The Blue Wahoos earned a split of their series in Montgomery and finished their road trip with a 7-4 record.
After going hitless in their first four innings against Victor Muñoz (L, 6-5), the Blue Wahoos finally broke through in the fifth. Griffin Conine led off the inning with a solo homer, and Jan Mercado followed with an RBI single to put Pensacola ahead 2-0.
Troy Johnston added to his league-leading RBI total in the next two innings, hitting a solo homer in the sixth and a two-run single in the seventh. Johnston’s homer was his 15th of the season, tying him for the Southern League lead.
Cobie Fletcher-Vance added an RBI single in the eighth before Nasim Nuñez put the game on ice with a three-run double later in the inning.
The Blue Wahoos return home to Pensacola for a Fourth of July matinee on Tuesday.
written by Erik Bremer
State Visits Century To Evaluate $12.8 Million Grant Applications For Shelter, Bridges Repair
July 3, 2023
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity recently made a site visit to Century as part of the town’s applications for $12.8 million in total grant applications for a hurricane shelter and repairs to three bridges.
The grants, if awarded, would be from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DOE) Small Cities Hurricane Sally Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program.
Gym/Hurricane Shelter
Century is seeking a $10 million grant to turn the old Century High School gym property into a multipurpose facility that could also serve as a hurricane or other disaster shelter. The town does not own the old gym, which was constructed in 1960; it belongs to Pensacola State College.
Town consultant Robin Phillips, who is managing the grant submissions, said the gym is laden with asbestos and lead. It has been essentially abandoned for years, and is in poor condition. For those reasons, Phillips said an architect is recommending that the building be demolished and rebuilt.
If the grant is awarded to Century, the town plans to accept the funds only if PSC will transfer ownership to the town.
Bridge Repairs
Century is also seeking a seperate $2,862,137 grant to replace a failed bridge on Freedom Road that has been closed for three years, and make drainage improvements to two other bridges that suffered embankment erosion during Hurricane Sally.
The state budget recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis includes $1.257 million for the Freedom Road bridge. This funding would be in addition to any other DOE funds that might be awarded.
The bridge and drainage grant will not be impacted by the continuation or withdrawal of the gym application.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
7-Year Old Struck By Vehicle On Pensacola Beach
July 3, 2023
A vehicle collided with a 7-year old boy on Pensacola Beach Sunday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the boy from Eutaw, Alabama, was walking with both of his parents on Via De Luna about 1 p.m. “when he suddenly dashed into the road”. The driver of a SUV, a 57-year old woman from Louisiana, swerved and braked. The child struck the side of the vehicle, and he received only minor injuries.
The child was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital as a precaution.
FHP said no citations were issued.
ECUA Trash Collection One Day Later This Week; Gov’t Office Closures For The Holiday
July 3, 2023
Your ECUA trash and recyclables will be picked up on day later this week, and several government offices are closed on Monday for the Independence Day holiday.
Both residential and commercial ECUA sanitation collections will be a day later. (For example, Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday.) ECUA’s customer service department will reopen on Wednesday.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s offices will be closed Monday and Tuesday for the holiday and for statewide software updates.
The following Escambia County offices will be closed Tuesday, July 4:
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners – all departments including:
West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
Escambia County Property Appraiser
Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
Escambia County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
Escambia County Extension Office
Waste Services Administration and the Perdido Landfill
ECAT will only operate routes 59 Express, 64 Beach Jumper, and the Pensacola Beach trolleys on Tuesday, July 4. Regular service will resume Wednesday, July 5.
TOWN OF CENTURY
Town of Century offices will be open normal hours on Monday. All Century offices will be closed on Tuesday for the holiday.