Biloxi Shuckers Beat The Wahoos
June 22, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos missed out on an attempt to clinch the South Division on Tuesday, falling 5-3 to the Biloxi Shuckers.
The Blue Wahoos will need to win only one of their five remaining first-half games against the Shuckers to claim a postseason berth.
A.J. Ladwig (L, 2-1) completed six solid innings, but allowed four early runs that Pensacola couldn’t overcome. Joey Wiemer drove in the game’s first run in the first inning with an RBI single, Terence Doston doubled the lead in the second with an RBI hit of his own, and Jakson Reetz lined a two-run homer in the third for a 4-0 Biloxi lead.
Noah Zavolas (W, 2-1) was dominant in his start for the Shuckers, allowing only three unearned runs over 6.2 innings. He was aided by defense from Wiemer, as the right fielder robbed a home run from José Devers in the third and made two more leaping grabs at the wall later in the game.
The Blue Wahoos broke through in the seventh inning with a Cobie Fletcher-Vance sacrifice fly and Devin Hairson two-run single, but the Shuckers added an insurance run in the eighth and Luis Contreras (S, 1) got the final six outs to earn his first save.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series at the Shuckers on Wednesday.
by Erick Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Highway 31 Crash Near Atmore Claims Life Of Alabama Man
June 22, 2022
A two-vehicle crash on Highway 31 west of Atmore claimed the life of an Alabama man.
The crash happened in Baldwin County about 3:22 p.m. Monday. Tuesday night, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said a 2003 Saturn Ion driven by 85-year old Winston Killam of Bay Minette was struck by a 2014 Nissan Altima driven by 33-year old Andrew Shoots of Foley. Killam was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Troopers are continuing their investigation.
Driver Of Stolen Jeep Charged After Ramming State Trooper, Pursuit
June 21, 2022
A suspect in a stolen vehicle rammed a state trooper’s vehicle and attempted to flee Tuesday morning.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a state trooper located a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited driven by Gregory Bernard Henderson in the parking lot of a Whataburger on Pensacola Boulevard, and the trooper attempted to make a traffic stop.
As another Trooper responded as a backup unit and entered the parking lot directly in front of the stolen vehicle, Henderson drove into the right side of the trooper’s patrol car.
Henderson drove out of the Whataburger parking lot and traveled north on Highway 29. As a FHP supervisor arrived on scene, Henderson then drove recklessly across the median and into the Tom Thumb parking lot at Highway 29 and Airport Boulevard
He then drove west on Airport where he disregarded the red light at the intersection of North W Street and at Marcus Pointe Boulevard. Additional troopers arrived on scene and attempted the PIT maneuver and were able to surround the vehicle at the intersection of Highway 29 and W Street.
Henderson refused multiple commands to exit the vehicle, and access was gained through a broken window. With the assistance of Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies, troopers were able to arrest Henderson “after a brief moment of resistance”, according to FHP.
Henderson, 36, was charged with felony aggravated fleeing and eluding, two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, driving as a habitual traffic offender, possession of a stolen vehicle and felony marijuana possession. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $108,500.
A female passenger in the Jeep was not charged in the incident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and others, click to enlarge.
Police Searching For Armed, Dangerous Atmore Attempted Murder Suspect
June 21, 2022
The Atmore Police Department is looking for a man wanted for attempted murder.
Rayvon Desha Madison, age 31 of Atmore, is wanted for attempted murder and multiple other charges.
Atmore Police responded to a residence in Atmore just after midnight for a domestic disturbance with shots fired and determined Madison was a suspect.
Madison should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police, and should not be approached. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911.
Cantonment Man Charged With Alleged Sexual Assault Of Young Girl
June 21, 2022
A Cantonment man is accused of the sexual assault of an underage girl.
Garrett Lee Constantine, 29, was charged with capital felony sexual assault on a victim under 12. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $200,000.
The victim told investigators that Constantine entered her bedroom and touched her inappropriately and “that it occurred almost every night”, an arrest report states.
An adult female told deputies she questioned him on two different occasions about being in the underage female’s bedroom. He told her that he heard the girl making strange noises and went to check on her, and he caught her using the wrong bathroom in the house and went into the room to make sure she was asleep,” according to the arrest report.
The adult female told investigators that after the second incident she purchased a surveillance camera for the girl’s bedroom, but never recorded Constantine doing anything inappropriate.
After the allegations surfaced, Constantine agreed to meet with investigators from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Children and families. His arrest report states that his statements throughout the interview were inconsistent, but his statements were redacted from the report.
FWC Asking Residents To Report Wild Turkey Sightings
June 21, 2022
See a wild turkey? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking residents to report it to help biologists learn more about Florida’ wild turkey population.
Report all wild turkeys seen during normal daily activities through August 31.
FWC is interested in sightings of hens with and without poults (young wild turkeys), and male birds (jakes and gobblers) from all regions of the state, including rural and developed areas. When reporting numbers of poults, be sure to look carefully because young birds may be difficult to see in tall grass or brush.
Tate Showband Of The South Getting A New Band Tower
June 21, 2022
Now this will bring back some memories for a lot of people.
Construction on a new band tower at Tate High School began on Monday.
“The first tower was located on the original front sideline facing the visitor bleachers. It was put up in the mid 70’s,” District 5 Escambia County School Board member Bill Slayton wrote on social media. He was the band director for the Showband of the South from 1971 to 1987. “This tower (pictured) was put up when the new cafeteria was built and the field was turned 90 degrees.”
It is expected to take a few weeks to finish construction on the new tower.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Decline A Few Cents On Average
June 21, 2022
Florida gas prices are moving lower after oil and gasoline futures suffered big weekly drops. The national average price for regular unleaded is once again back below $5 a gallon. And for now, AAA says it looks like the state average won’t make it that high.
Florida gas prices averaged $4.81 per gallon on Monday. The state average declined seven cents last week, after reaching an all-time high of $4.89 per gallon.
The Pensacola metro continues to remain among the lowest price markets in the state. The average price per gallon in Escambia was $4.65. Monday night, the low price in North Escambia was $4.49 on Muscogee Road. In Pensacola, a low of $4.41 could be found.
“Florida drivers are finally catching a break after several weeks of rising gas prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices are following oil and gasoline futures prices, which suffered significant losses last week. The losses are being tied to last week’s rate hike from the Federal Reserve bank, sparking fears of a possible recession – which could lower fuel demand. Prices also faced resistance on reports that the Biden administration is considering possible limits on petroleum exports, in attempt to strengthen domestic supply. Petroleum exports have accelerated in recent weeks, as countries compete for fuel in what has become an extremely tight fuel market. The increased competition for fuel has contributed to rising prices.
“If this downward trend holds, gas price drops could accelerate, moving the state average back around $4.50 per gallon,” Jenkins continued. “But this fuel market remains extremely unstable, and things can change very quickly. It’s looking less likely that the state average will surpass $5 a gallon, but the driving season is young.”
Jay Royals 12U Wins All-Star Tournament
June 21, 2022
The Jay Royals won the 12U division in the recent GCGSA all-star tournament in Molino. Players are Desi Dales, Ansley Emmitt, Lani Steadham, Jayden Williard, Aubrey Hadley, Reese Shehan, Jesseca Pritchett, Tenley Smarr, Lexie Smith, Olivia Adkinson, and Melanie Kelley. Coaches are Lisa Smarr, Nicole Pritchett, Heath Shehan, Matt Mathis and Cody Emmitt. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Coast Recreation Classic Tournament This Week A John R. Jones Ballpark
June 21, 2022
The Gulf Coast Recreation Classic tournament is going on this week at the John R. Johns Ballpark on Nine Mile Road.
There are 53 recreation-based all star teams taking part from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, including teams from Northwest Escambia Baseball, Brent Baseball Youth Sports Association, NEP Baseball and the Molino Recreation Association.
“We felt there was a void in the area for local recreation-based all-star teams and wanted to give them a place to play this summer,” said Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes. “We are proud to host this many teams in the tournament this year. This is our first time hosting and it’s a big task for our department to manage, but our team has stepped up to the plate. We’re thrilled to host this tournament for the community and we hope to do it again next year.”
Games are at 5:30 and 7:15 each evening through Saturday. Admission is free.