10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Tuesday In Cantonment
June 18, 2023
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a drive-thru 10,000 pound food giveaway Tuesday afternoon, June 20 at Carver Park on Webb Street.
The food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. People should line up their vehicles, single file on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. Identification is required.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Boating, Fishing And Iguana Violations
June 18, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement recently reported the following activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Specialist Allgood was conducting safety and resource inspections at Wilson Robertson boat ramp. He observed a vessel returning to the dock around sunset. The officer noticed the vessel had a Florida decal but displayed out of state registration numbers. Officer Allgood conducted an inspection on the vessel and recognized the owner/operator of the vessel from two previous boating under the influence investigations last summer. The officer checked to see if the operator paid his $500 civil penalty for refusing to provide a breath sample. It was determined the operator had not paid the penalty; therefore could not legally operate a vessel on state waters. Officer Allgood issued the subject a notice to appear for operating a vessel on state waters without paying a previous refusal citation.
Senior Officer Hahr completed an investigation into a trespass complaint on property owned by the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. A caretaker observed a man enter the property and drive through with a loaded rifle. The witness called Officer Allgood who was familiar with the subject. He contacted Officers Hahr and Senst who interviewed the suspect and witness. A .30-30 rifle was seized and a warrant was obtained charging the subject with armed trespass.
Officer Allgood was on patrol at a boat ramp and observed a vessel displaying dive gear. He conducted a resource inspection and discovered an undersized gray triggerfish. One of the individuals on the boat took responsibility for the undersized fish. Officer Allgood issued a resource citation for possessing an undersized gray triggerfish.
While on patrol at a boat ramp, Officer Allgood observed a vessel with fishing rods and conducted a resource inspection. During the inspection, he located an undersized scamp. Officer Allgood issued the appropriate citation for the illegal fish.
Officer Allgood was conducting resource inspections at the Pensacola Pass when he observed a vessel returning from fishing. He conducted a resource inspection on the vessel and determined several fish were undersized. He issued citations for undersized gray triggerfish and undersized Spanish mackerel.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Roberson was dispatched to a call regarding Santa Rosa County deputies traffic stop on the interstate. They needed help regarding iguanas in the back of an individual’s truck and wanted to know if a permit was needed for possession of the iguanas. Officer Roberson responded and spoke with Investigator Williams while on the way. Investigator Williams stated they needed a permit for green iguanas. Officer Roberson arrived on scene and determined the subjects were in possession of green iguanas. Officer Roberson interviewed the individual who was in possession, and it was determined there were no permits for the iguanas and there was a violation regarding their safe storage and transportation. Officer Roberson booked the individual into jail for no proper permits and violation of transporting/storing the iguanas properly.
Officer Bower received a complaint about an illegal species of fish being advertised for sale on social media. An inspection revealed invasive lionfish were being transported from California into Florida and sold to the public. It is illegal to possess and sell an invasive species imported from another state. Live coral was also found on the premises without proper documentation. The store owner was issued a notice to appear citation for importation and sale of lionfish.
Officer Bower was conducting resource inspections in the Santa Rosa Sound and observed two subjects fishing from the shore. Both subjects had valid fishing licenses. Officer Bower observed a line in the water tied to a rock, and asked the subjects if they had any luck catching any fish. The subjects explained they were catching spotted sea trout and showed the officer the fish. The trout were under the legal-size limit. One of the subjects admitted to harvesting the undersized spotted sea trout and was issued a notice to appear citation.
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.
NWE 8U Wins Cal Ripken District Tournament
June 18, 2023
Northwest Escambia defeated host team Poarch 13-4 Saturday to win the District 7 Cal Ripken Baseball Tournament at Arrowhead Park. Both teams will advance to the state tournament on June 30. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Fall to Braves; Magic Number Drops To Two
June 18, 2023
The Blue Wahoos changed names and uniform design for the second time Saturday as the Pensacola Pok-Ta-Pok.
But they weren’t able to reverse fate.
A capacity crowd was immediately quieted, after the Mississippi Braves erupted for five runs in the first inning and carried that into a 6-3 victory to continue being a roadblock at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It was Pensacola’s third consecutive loss, which matched a season high.
But the team continued getting help from the Montgomery Biscuits, who beat the Biloxi Shuckers for a third straight time Saturday, thus enabling the Blue Wahoos (37-25) to have a shot Sunday at clinching the first-half race in the Southern League South Division in the series finale.
The Biscuits and Shuckers are both six games back with seven to play. The Blue Wahoos, however, have a head-to-head tiebreaker edge against Montgomery, and would clinch the division with a win and a Biscuits victory over Biloxi on Sunday. The M-Braves (30-31) are 6.5 games back after one game this season was not made up due to weather.
Saturday’s game at Blue Wahoos Stadium started an hour late at 7:09 p.m. following more rain at the ballpark. The Blue Wahoos staff and grounds crew members worked quickly to pull the tarp and prepare the field.
The rest of the night became favorable, enabling the crowd of 5,038 to take in the post-game fireworks as the usual Saturday attraction. On this night, it was also designated part of Pensacola’s participation in the Copa de la Diversión program, designed to honor baseball’s Latin American heritage.
Pok-ta-Pok was a game that dates back 4,000 years and was the first ball sport in recorded history played in the Americas.
Pensacola lost its first game in the specialty series on May 5, also against the M-Braves.
This one took a similar narrative.
The M-Braves produced five runs in the first inning off Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios, all with two outs. It was the third consecutive inning – going back to Friday night – that Blue Wahoos pitchers had yielded five runs in an inning.
Palacios struggled with control and ran long counts in throwing 27 pitches to give up the runs.
M-Braves leadoff batter Cal Conley singled, then stole second to start the rally. With one out, Palacious hit Jesse Franklin in his batter’s helmet. With two outs, he walked Landon Stephens, which became a decisive point. Drew Campbell followed with a double that cleared the bases and included a error on left fielder Dalvy Rosario.
The next batter, Beau Philip, blasted a two-run homer before Palacios got out of the inning when facing the eight M-Braves batter. The M-Braves increased the lead to 6-0 on Stephens’ solo homer.
Pensacola’s lone jolt of offense occurred in the bottom of the sixth when Nasim Nuñez led off by reaching on an error. Troy Johnston singled, then José Devers hit a two run single and advanced to third on a throwing error. Griffin Conine drove in the third run with a ground out.
But from that point, the M-Braves bullpen shut down Pensacola on zero hits in the final three innings.
The Blue Wahoos will try to salvage a split in the series Sunday, after winning the first two games earlier this week.
Jake Walters will make his second start for the Blue Wahoos. He worked four innings on May 12 against Birmingham, allowing one run. The M-Braves will counter with Tanner Gordon (2-3, 3.98 ERA), who started Tuesday’s game.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
House, Grain Silo Destroyed; Trees Down, Thousands Lose Power In North Escambia
June 17, 2023
A powerful storm that rolled through North Escambia Friday morning left a destroyed house and grain silo, downed trees, and left thousands without power, many of them for the entire day and into Saturday morning.
On Highway 97 just south of Nokomis Road in Davisville, high winds destroyed a small wood frame home. No one has lived in the home for many years.
On Kansas Road, a large grain silo collapsed.
Trees were downed, including some across roads, across North Escambia.
Immediately after the storm, Escambia River Electric Cooperative had about 6,500 customers without power in North Escambia and northern Santa Rosa County. There were still about 1,100 customers without power late Friday night as another severe thunderstorm moved through the area, plunging hundreds of additional members back in the dark.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Health Department Urges Post-Storm Safety
June 17, 2023
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County is encouraging residents and visitors to follow critical safety measures following severe storms.
With the recent storm activity that has affected our area, it is imperative for individuals and communities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions and responses to ensure their well-being. Three areas of concern are proper generator use, flood water safety, and mosquito control.
Improper use of generators can lead to tragic consequences. Generators should be operated outdoors in a well-ventilated area away from windows, doors, and vents. Carbon monoxide (CO) produced by generators is a silent killer. Never use a generator in a garage or enclosed space. Ensure generators are properly grounded to prevent electrocution and that they are not overloaded by exceeding the recommended wattage. Store fuel for generators in a safe and approved container away from living spaces.
Flood waters pose a serious health risk and should be approached with caution. Avoid walking or driving though floodwaters as they can be contaminated and hide dangerous debris or open manholes. Do not let children play in floodwaters. Thoroughly clean and disinfect affected areas after the flood waters recede to prevent the growth of mold and other harmful organisms.
Following a storm, stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which transmit diseases. Remove any standing water from containers, gutters, covers, and other objects around your property. Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus and be sure to follow label instructions carefully. When possible, wear long sleeves and pants to minimize exposed skin. Keep windows and doors screened to prevent mosquitos from entering living spaces.
“Following a storm of any kind, it is important for everyone to make safety a priority and be aware of the potential risks,” notes Marie Mott, Administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County. “We encourage everyone to follow these guidelines to prevent injuries, illnesses, spread of diseases, and other post-storm hazards. By following these guidelines, we can mitigate risks and promote a healthier and more secure environment for everyone.”
Yet Another Round Of Showers And Storms Possible For Saturday
June 17, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 1pm and 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Juneteenth: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 88. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 88. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the evening.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Three Suspects Wanted In Century Attempted Home Invasion
June 17, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for three suspects in what they say appeared to be an attempted home invasion late Thursday night in Century.
About 11:10 p.m., a resident of Plum Street off Alger Road was away from home but noticed activity on security cameras.
Three males with their faces covered broke a window and attempted to enter the home as the resident watched the cameras from another location, according to Morgan Lewis, ECSO spokesperson. They failed to gain entry to the home before fleeing.
Anyone with information on the incident 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.
Permit Fees for Escambia County Severe Weather Damage Repairs Waived
June 17, 2023
Escambia County is waiving permitting fees for storm damage repairs to buildings and fences resulting from the severe weather occurrence in the region on June 15-16.
The grace period will last until close of business at 4:30 p.m. October 16, 2023. Applicants must provide documentation for storm caused damage to include photos, videos, or insurance claims with their permit application to obtain the waiver. For a permit application, click here.
Escambia County said storm damage repairs to secure structures for safety purposes can begin on essential building components without immediate permitting, however, an application must be submitted for the repairs to Escambia County Building Services by close of business June 26, 2023.
In addition, Building Services will have a permitting technician stationed at the Santa Rosa Island Authority beginning Tuesday, June 20, to assist Pensacola Beach citizens with their permitting needs.
For more information, please contact Building Services at (850) 595-3550.
Free Sand For Flood Prep Still Available In Escambia County
June 17, 2023
Escambia County has free sand available for residents living in flood prone areas.
The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 Highway 4, Bratt
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297A
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School -available on northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are usually available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand as seen Friday afternoon at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.