No Arrests In Triple Shooting Last Week At Cantonment Park
June 3, 2023
There have been no arrests made in the shooting of three people last Saturday night during a “May Day”gathering in Cantonment.
The victims were two females both age 18 and a 21-year old male. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said all three were transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life threatening.
The shootings were reported about 9:10 p.m. in the area of Carver Park on Webb Street where the suspect opened fire into a crowd, striking the victims. The event was not sanctioned or approved by the community association that manages the park or Escambia County Parks and Recreation.
The Sheriff’s Office estimated about 2,000 people were in attendance. None of the bystanders provided witness information to deputies.
Anyone with information on the shootings 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.
‘Strange Bulge’ In Escambia Woman’s Pants Leads To Meth Arrest
June 3, 2023
The Atmore Police Department says a “strange bulge” in an Escambia County (Florida) woman’s pants led to her arrest on a methamphetamine related charge.
Sydni Weatherholtz, age 30 of Pensacola, was charged with unlawful possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to police.
About 7:35 p.m. on May 31, Atmore Police Narcotics Agents conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that failed to signal during a turn onto Highway 21. Officers said Weatherholtz was a passenger in the vehicle.
“While speaking with Weatherholtz an officer noticed a strange bulge in her pants. Upon further investigation Waetherholtz was in possession of approximately 14 grams of a clear crystal-like substance that field tested positive for Methamphetamine,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Ribbon Cutting Held For Escambia’s Newest Elementary School
June 3, 2023
A ribbon cutting was held Friday for Escambia County’s newest public school.
The new Pleasant Grove Elementary School campus is located on Sorrento Road just west of Blue Angel Parkway.
It’s the first new school in the Escambia County School District since Beulah Middle and Kingsfield Elementary opened back in 2018.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Myers Homers Twice, But Blue Wahoos Fall 10-7 To Biloxi
June 3, 2023
Dane Myers continued his hot hitting, homering twice and driving in five in a 3-for-5 night, but the Pensacola Blue Wahoos squandered an early lead in a 10-7 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers on Friday.
The game turned in the bottom of the fifth, as Biloxi scored five runs against starter M.D. Johnson and reliever Will Stewart (L, 2-1). The Shuckers needed only one hit, a Zavier Warren two-run double, thanks to four walks, a hit batsman, and a throwing error.
Pensacola jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first against Shuckers starter Carlos Rodriguez as Myers sent a three-run homer out to left-center. They added another run in the third on a Cody Morissette RBI single and two more in the fourth on Myers’ second homer of the night, a two-run blast.
Biloxi chipped away in the fourth, drawing a pair of walks against Johnson before Wes Clarke hit a three-run homer to draw the score to 6-4. Morissette hit another RBI single in the fifth to give Pensacola a seven-run lead, but Biloxi’s big inning followed.
Johnson walked the first two Biloxi batters in the fifth before departing. Stewart, who had not allowed a run in 11.1 Double-A innings, allowed Warren’s double before loading the bases with a hit batsman and a walk. Clarke then drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game before Felix Valerio hit a potential double-play grounder that instead allowed the Shuckers to take a 9-7 lead. Nasim Nuñez’s low throw to first skipped out of play, scoring two runs and capping the five-run frame.
A.J. Puk allowed a pair of singles in his second rehab appearance, but wriggled out of the jam thanks to a strikeout, pickoff and popout to throw a scoreless eighth.
The Shuckers got effective long relief from T.J. Shook (W, 2-1) before Abner Uribe (S, 4) worked a spotless ninth.
The Blue Wahoos lost a game in the South Division standings, and are now 5.0 games ahead of second-place Biloxi with 20 games to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Saturday.
written by Erik Bremer
Escambia Extension To Host Small Farm Workshop
June 3, 2023
Do you want to start a farm but are not sure where to start? Or just want to learn more about Florida programs that can help with your current operation?
Escambia Extension will hold a Small Farm Workshop for Emerging Farms on June 13 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Topics will include loan and cost share programs, soil fertility, agritourism, small ruminant livestock and marketing.
The cost is $15. To register, or for more information, click here. Lunch will be provided.
Register Now For Tate Cheerleaders’ Lil Aggies Summer Camp
June 2, 2023
Registration is continuing for the Lil Aggies Summer Cheer Camp.
The camp will be held 8 a.m. until noon on June 26-28 in Tate High School’s Fryman Gym. The cost is $80 per athlete.
For a registration form and more information, click or tap here.
The Lil Aggies Summer Cheer Clinic will teach athletes proper stretch techniques, sideline cheers and chants, proper jump techniques, motion placements, as well as stunting and tumbling skill building. There will also be fun, games and engaging activities. A snack and drink will be provided each day.
The registration deadline is Thursday, June 23 and available spaces are filling fast.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘A Great Day For North Escambia’ — Fiber Internet Buildout Begins
June 2, 2023
Fields of corn line Bratt Road, not far from the power substation where nearby two new grain bins glisten brightly in the sun.
It’s the community of Bratt, home to Bratt Elementary and Northview High schools.
There’s a caution light at the four-way stop by the corner store. There’s often a good game of hoops going on, or people just walking, at the park — the Travis M. Nelson Park –built where Travis Nelson played as a child. The U.S. Marine was killed in Afghanistan a few years back.
It’s the slow life in rural North Escambia. And the internet, well, that’s even slower.
But in the next months, Bratt will be home to something else. New internet service, pretty much the fastest residential service available anywhere in Escambia County.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC), owned by the residents of Bratt, Walnut Hill, Jay — and the other communities in North Escambia and northern Santa Rosa County — has partnered with Conexon Connect to bring high speed fiber internet with speeds reaching 2 Gig up and down. Some of the fastest residential service in the county.
Over the past week or so, crews have started work, pulling fiber cable and attaching it to the power poles in Bratt. It will connect, and branch out to homes and businesses, from the power substations in Bratt and Walnut Hill. The first customers are expected to be connected by fall.
The price will range from about $50 to $100 a month for the fastest speed. A real game changer.
“We are very excited about this project,” Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC, said Thursday. “It represents a tremendous commitment from EREC that will benefit members for generations to come.”
The member owned electric cooperative will spend north of $35 million on over 1,000 miles of fiber to every home and business in their service territory. Even where the houses are spaced out by miles down dirt roads.
Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $2.6 million from the Broadband Opportunity Program for the fiber buildout. Escambia County has contributed $6.3 million from American Rescue Plan funds for the estimated $24 million for the 600 miles of fiber in Escambia County. (Escambia will, at a future date, contribute additional American Rescue Plan funds for a fiber project in the remainder of the county.) EREC will provide broadband internet service and additional “dark” fiber (without internet service) for all county owned facilities within the EREC footprint for two years at no additional cost to the county.
“I’m ecstatic to see the work begin, and could not be more thankful to my board for supporting the initiative, and for our tremendous partners EREC and Conexon for really hitting the ground running,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “It’s a great day for North Escambia County.”
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reel In Florida Fun On License-Free Fishing Weekends In June
June 2, 2023
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites Florida residents and visitors to go fishing during two license-free weekends: June 3-4 for saltwater and June 10-11 for freshwater.
License-free fishing weekends offer a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and experience the many fishing opportunities the Fishing Capital of the World has to offer. The FWC encourages everyone to take advantage of these weekends to spend time enjoying the beautiful Florida waters.
“Fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and experience Florida’s abundant fishing opportunities,” said Roger Young, FWC’s executive director. “License-free fishing weekends allow Floridians and visitors to get outdoors, connect with nature and create lasting memories with family and friends.”
During the license-free weekends, all bag limits, size limits and fishing regulations still apply. Anglers must also follow all other fishing rules, such as gear restrictions, seasons and closures. To help ensure a fun and safe fishing experience, the FWC encourages all anglers to review the regulations before heading out on the water.
Escambia Man Gets 10 Life Sentences For Sexually Abusing Child
June 2, 2023
An Escambia County man received 10 consecutive life sentences for sexually abusing a child over a period of several years.
Larry Steve Snipes was arrested in August 2020 for sexually abusing a child between July 2017 and April 2020. Prosecutors said he would drug the child before the assaults.
Snipes was sentenced on four counts of sexual battery of victim under 12, four counts of sexual battery of a victim under 18, one count of cruelty toward a child, one count of obscene material distribution to a minor and four counts of lewd or lascivious battery.
Be ‘One Week Ready’ During Hurricane Season
June 2, 2023
Are you ready to be self-sufficient for a week following a hurricane?
Escambia County is urging residents to remain prepared before, during and after a storm during hurricane season by stocking up on seven days worth of supplies, otherwise known as being, “One Week Ready”.
Hurricane season began Thursday and continues until November 30.
Residents are encouraged to follow these steps in preparation for this hurricane season:
- Know Your Zone. Familiarize yourself with evacuation zones and routes. In 2018, Emergency Management released a “Know Your Zone“ website for residents to look up their evacuation zone. You can look up your address to see if your home is in evacuation zone A, B, C, D, E or none as well as view the impacts of storm surge in your neighborhood. Knowing your evacuation zone is one of the most important hurricane preparation steps you can take. It is very important that you look up your evacuation zone each year to find out if and when you should evacuate, even if you have looked it up in the past, as zones can change. Most importantly, don’t rely on previous storm experience.
- Know Your Home. Is your home prepared for a hurricane? Your safest place may be at home instead of a shelter. Pack an emergency supply kit. It should contain one week of clothes, nonperishable food, pet food, water and a battery operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries. Also include a first-aid kit with items such as gloves, adhesive bandages and prescription medications. Find a printable disaster shopping list here. Please remember “Get One Week Ready.” Citizens should be equipped to provide for themselves, their families and their pets for at least one week following a major hurricane. During the 2023 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, stock up on qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax.
- Know Your Plan. Plan how you will assemble your family and loved ones, and anticipate where you will go for different situations. Get together with your family and agree on the best ways to contact one another in an emergency. Inform out-of-town family and friends of your emergency plans and stay in contact. Plan your evacuation route and destination before an evacuation order is issued. Anticipate where you and your family will go for different situations. Be sure to make preparations for pets and family members who made need special accommodations, such as a wheelchair ramp, oxygen tank or specific medications.
- Stay Informed. Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a hurricane event. Sign up for alerts from your local emergency management office so notifications, including evacuation orders, go directly to your phone and email. Monitor local news for hurricane watches and warnings in your area and follow directions of local officials. Make sure you have a battery-operated or hand-crank radio available should the power go out. Review and sign up for the different types of information/notifications available directly from Escambia County. Also, ensure your iPhone or Android device has critical alert notifications enabled. Find out how to enable critical alerts on your phone here.