Escambia County 4-H Holds Annual Awards Banquet
August 13, 2022
submitted by Brian Estevez, UF/IFAS Escambia County 4-H Agent
Escambia County 4-H celebrated its annual 4-H Banquet on August 5 th at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. More than 120 guests participated in the celebration and recognition of Escambia County 4-H achievements in a mardi gras theme setting.
Guests were greeted in front of the building by a 4-H mardi gras float, complete with thrown beads and music. Many awards were given out at the banquet to recognize the accomplishments of our 4-H members. County council members and honored guests presented certificates, pins and awards to the recipients.
“The 4-H Awards Banquet was made possible with the donations from our many sponsors. Escambia County 4-H thanks you for your donations of money, time and effort to make the banquet possible,” said Aly Schortinghouse, Escambia County 4-H/Livestock Agent.
Our graduating seniors were recognized on-stage and 4-H volunteers received awards for their service. Escambia County 4-H also honored the members that made up the 2021-2022 County Council and inducted a new group of council officers for 2022-2023. The new council officers are as follows: A.T. Bridgers and Reid Spagnuolo as district delegates, Syrah Chauvette as motivational leader, Matt Dunlap as sergeant-at-arms, Tucker Padgett as parliamentarian, Alan Bray-Crews as historian, Laney Clarke as reporter, Ava Chauvette as treasurer, Kailee Dunlap as secretary, Madelyn Goss as vice president, and Gracie Meredith as president.
According to Brian Estevez, Escambia County 4-H agent, the new officers were inducted in alighting of the candle ceremony and were told that “good officers pledge their hands to the service of their 4-H council, its members, and the clubs they represent.”
The past 12 months have been an outstanding year for Escambia County 4-H. Four hundred and fifty-eight youth were enrolled in sixteen 4-H clubs, volunteer enrollment increased, and day camp and workshop quality were the best they have ever been. Escambia County 4-H members placed first in multiple state 4-H competitions including: 2021 state 4-H tailgating contest, 2021 junior horticulture judging, 202 1intermediate horticulture judging, 2022 senior Insectathon, 2022 Gator Pit entrepreneur contest, 2022 avian bowl, 2022 junior and senior graphic design, and 2022 junior and senior photography. Belinda Spann, 4-H senior office support assistant, was also recognized on-stage for being selected as the 2022 Florida Association of Extension 4-H
Agent’s Support Staff of the Year.
“Escambia County 4-H would like to say thank you to all of the 4-H members, parents, sponsors, and guests that attended the 2022 4-H Awards Banquet,” said Estevez.
The 4-H Awards Banquet was made possible with the donations from our many sponsors.
Escambia County 4-H would like to thank: Beasley Jewelry, Escambia County Farm Bureau, the Langley Bell family, Escambia County 4-H Foundation, Inc., and the Escambia County Home and Community Educators. Escambia County 4-H thanks you for your donation of money, time, and effort to make the banquet possible.
McCambley Shines, Nuñez Delivers In 6-3 Wahoos Win
August 13, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their second game in a row over the Birmingham Barons on Friday night, as Zach McCambley and Nasim Nuñez led the way in a 6-3 victory.
McCambley (W, 6-7) struck out 10 batters over 6.0 one-run innings, biding his time until the Blue Wahoos exploded for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to swing the game in their favor.
The Blue Wahoos and Barons traded zeroes until the fifth inning, when Evan Skoug hit a solo homer to put Birmingham ahead 1-0. Pensacola finally broke through against Barons starter Emilio Vargas (L, 1-5) in the sixth, as Griffin Conine doubled and Will Banfield singled before J.D. Osborne tied the game with an RBI single to left field.
Banfield scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch from reliever Taylor Broadway, and Nuñez capped the big inning with a two-out, two-run single to put Pensacola ahead 4-1.
In the seventh, Jose Rodriguez got the Barons within a run at 4-3 with a two-run homer against Eli Villalobos. Pensacola answered back in the bottom of the eighth, however, as Will Banfield led off the frame with his fourth hit of the night and Thomas Jones brought him home with an RBI triple. Jones scored on a wild pitch from Vince Vannelle to extend the Blue Wahoos lead to 6-3.
In the ninth, Sean Reynolds (S, 2) walked the first two batters but struck out the next three to earn the save.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Saturday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Habitual Traffic Offender Arrested In Bratt After Trying To Outsmart Deputy
August 12, 2022
A habitual traffic offender was arrested this week in Bratt after allegedly trying to outsmart an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
Joshua Thomas Lange Johnson, 36, was charged with multiple criminal traffic offenses, including felony driving with a suspended license habitual offender and operating a motorcycle without a license. He was released on a $9,500 bond, according to jail records.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a motorcycle estimated to be traveling above the posted speed limit on North Highway 99 near Bratt. As the deputy attempted to catch up to the motorcycle, the driver pulled into the driveway of a home on North Highway 99 near Amerson Drive. The deputy returned to find Johnson and his passenger standing in front of the home.
According to an arrest report, Johnson had no business at the home and had pulled into the driveway in an attempt to avoid the deputy and a traffic stop.
According to records, Johnson’s driving privileges have been suspended indefinitely in Florida, and he is classified as a habitual traffic offender. He also had an outstanding warrant for other traffic offenses.
The passenger on the motorcycle was not charged with any crime.
Private Donor Contributes $20,000 To Tate Quarterback Club
August 12, 2022
A private, unnamed donor contributed $20,000 this week to the Tate High School Quarterback Club.
“To say we are thankful would be an understatement,” the QB Club said in a social media post. “You believe in us and for that we are thankful!”
The Tate Quarterback Club supports the Tate High School Aggies football program.
Escambia Fire Rescue Continues Safety Standbys In School Zones
August 12, 2022
Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters are continuing safety standbys in schools zones across the county through today.
“As you know, the first week of school is chaotic,” said ECFR Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton. “Our goal is to remind drivers to slow down to keep our children safe while driving in a school zone.”
Fire trucks have been located at the following schools each day:
- Bellview Elementary
- Beulah Elementary
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- C.A. Weis Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Hellen Caro Elementary
- Kingsfield Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pensacola Beach Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
Pictured: The Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue on Highway 97 in the Molino Park Elementary school zone Thursday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Fatal Apartment Shooting Was Self Defense
August 12, 2022
One person was shot and killed Thursday evening at an Escambia County apartment complex, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office now says the shooting was self defense.
“Based on the investigation, we do not anticipate any arrests,” ECSO said in statement.
The man was shot about 6:20 p.m. at the Oakwood Terrace Apartments on Truman Avenue.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Churches Learn About ‘Safety In The Place Of Worship’ During ECSO Program In Bratt
August 12, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a “Safety in the Place of Worship” training program Thursday evening in Bratt.
Church representatives from across the area learned about crime prevention in churches, including threat identification, and emergency preparedness. They also learned how to identify risk factors, evaluate needs with a security assessment and how to develop a security plan.
The program was held at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
King, Devers Drive Blue Wahoos T o 5-4 Victory Over Birmingham
August 12, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got a solid start from Zach King and a 4-RBI game from José Devers in a 5-4 win over the Birmingham Barons on Thursday night.
King (W, 1-3) turned in a quality start, allowing only one run in 6.0 innings, to earn his first Double-A win as the Blue Wahoos continued their dominance over the North Division. They are now 24-9 against opponents from the North, including an 18-3 record at home.
Devers got the scoring started right away in the first, lifting an opposite-field three-run homer to left field against Scott Blewett (L, 6-6). Devers added an RBI single in the fourth, giving him his second 4-RBI game in the past week after a nearly identical performance last Friday in Montgomery.
King worked out of trouble early in his start, as the Barons put their leadoff man at second base in each of their first four innings. Only once did the runner come home, as Raudy Read brought in Jose Rodriguez with an RBI single in the third inning.
Pensacola added an insurance run in the sixth on an RBI single from Cobie Fletcher-Vance, and they would end up needing it. Birmingham’s Oscar Colas hit a three-run homer in the eighth against Robinson Martínez to draw the score to 5-4 before Dylan Bice (S, 2) ended the threat and earned a four-out save.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Friday
by Erik Bremer, The Pensacola Blue Wahoos
New Details: Contractor Matt Banks Arrested, Released On Bond
August 12, 2022
Matthew Banks was arrested on an outstanding Pensacola Police Department warrant issued by the Pensacola Police Department. He surrendered at the Okaloosa County Jail Wednesday evening on a a third degree felony charge of contractor fail to refund.
Okaloosa County Jail records first available Friday show he was released on a $2, 500 bond.
Previous story:
The contractors licenses of both Matthew Banks (pictured below left) and Jesse LaCoste (pictured below right) have been revoked by Escambia County.
Both were accused of taking tens of thousands of dollars in payments from county residents for home improvement projects and repairs but never completing, or even starting, the work.
Banks, of Banks Construction, had been ordered by the Escambia County Contractor Competency Board to pay restitution to two homeowners for unfinished repairs.. LaCoste, of LaCoste Construction Group, was also ordered to pay restitution to another homeowner The county says both failed to pay by a Wednesday deadline.
According to our news partners at WEAR 3, Banks and LaCoste are brother-in-laws.
Santa Rosa County has also revoked Banks’ contractors license. He has also filed for bankruptcy in federal court.
Banks has been the subject of over a dozen complaints to the Escambia County Contractor Competency Board this year, according to board agendas.
Banks also registered the business names 3 T Construction, LLC and Fourtee Construction, LLC in April and May, respectively, according to the Florida Division of Corporations.
LaCoste has not been arrested on any charges.
Banks’ mugshot was not immediately available from Okaloosa County.
‘Armed And Dangerous’ Century Bar Brawl Suspect Arrested In South Dakota
August 11, 2022
One of the seven suspects in a bar brawl in Century has been arrested in South Dakota.
Preston David Perry was taken into custody on a violation of probation warrant from Escambia County, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. ECSO said Perry was considered armed and dangerous.
He is expected to be extradited back to Escambia County after a hearing in South Dakota.
Perry, 31, was charged with principal to aggravated assault with a firearm, principal in the first degree to aggravated battery with a firearm, felony battery with a previous conviction and aggravated battery in connection with the bar brawl left the victim with a broken arm, broken nasal cavities and lost feeling in his lower back and leg after he was allegedly attacked outside Odom’s Bar on May 7.
For an earlier story about the bar brawl, click here.