Wahoos Open Homestand With Loss To The Montgomery Biscuits
April 20, 2022
Jerar Encarnacion hit his third home run of the season as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 5-1 to the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday night.
Encarnacion, who had two of his team’s three hits on the evening, has now homered in three of his past six games to tie Hayden Cantrelle for the team lead.
George Soriano allowed one run on five hits over 4.0 innings, surrendering a leadoff triple to Brett Wisely and RBI single to Greg Jones in the third inning. He departed with the game tied 1-1.
Parker Bugg (L, 1-1) allowed a leadoff double to Jones to begin the fifth, and an RBI single from Curtis Mead pushed across the eventual game-winning run. Bugg worked out of a bases-loaded jam by striking out three consecutive Montgomery batters, but the damage was done.
Jose Lopez (W, 1-0) earned the win for the Biscuits in relief of starter Michael Mercado, who allowed only the Encarnacion solo homer over 3.2 innings. Lopez worked 2.1 scoreless frames, including an immaculate inning in the fifth that saw J.D. Osborne, Ray-Patrick Didder and Hayden Cantrelle strike out on only nine pitches.
Montgomery added insurance in the seventh on a Grant Witherspoon two-run single, and in the ninth on a solo homer from Kameron Misner. Andrew Gross (S, 1) got the final six outs to earn the save.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday night.
Goodyear Blimp Seen Over North Escambia
April 19, 2022
The Goodyear Blimp was spotted over North Escambia Tuesday afternoon, seen here over West Roberts Road in Cantonment.
According to flight tracking information, the blimp crossed the Escambia River into Escambia County, passed near the intersection of East Kingsfield and Chemstrand roads, crossed Highway 29 north of Roberts Road, passed the intersection of Roberts Road and Stefani Road, traveled over Heritage Baptist on Highway 297A, and went just north of OLF-8 as it continued into Baldwin County.
According to Goodyear, the blimp’s next public stop is the PGA Zurich Classic near New Orleans April 23-24. The blimp will provide video for the CBS broadcast.
Submitted photo by Lori Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Livestock Agent Charged With Shooting, Killing Donkey
April 19, 2022
A contracted Santa Rosa County livestock agent has been charged after allegedly shooting and killing a donkey.
Philip Alan Hayes, 54, was charged with inhumane slaughter of livestock and felony and torture and inflicting pain and serious injury or death.
Last week, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint about a donkey roaming unattended on Deaton Bridge Road. The deputies were unsuccessful in corralling the donkey. Hayes arrived and told deputies that he did not need their assistance.
Hayes allegedly used his truck to push the donkey to push the donkey about one-half a mile and down a long driveway. He showed a neighbor a rifle and said that if he could not corral the animal, “I’ve got something for it,” according to an arrest report.
Another witness told deputies that Hayes was able to feed the donkey by hand, and he refused to use a rope and halter presented to him. The witness told deputies that he shot the donkey twice.
Hayes turned himself in and was released on an $8,500 bond.
Livestock agents are contracted by the Sheriff’s Office to corral, board and find the owner of loose and at-large livestock.
Two Men Found Asleep Inside Running Car With Two Toddlers At Molino C-Store, ESCO Says
April 19, 2022
Two men were found at a Molino convenience store asleep in a vehicle that was in gear with two small children inside.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, 29-year old Attris Kenyata Kearbey of Pensacola was asleep at the wheel inside a 2009 Chevrolet Aveo in front of the Molino 1st Stop on Highway 95A at Molino Road about 7:20 p.m. Sunday. The vehicle was idling in drive with Kearbey’s foot on the brake. An unloaded pistol and a “large” knife was wedged between the driver’s seat and center console, according to an arrest report.
Jarvarez Charles Weaden, age 24 of Cantonment, was asleep in the back passenger seat, deputies said, with a bag containing three complete and eight partial Xanax pills.
The toddlers were safely removed from the vehicle.
Weaden (pictured right) was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of felony child neglect and possession of a controlled substance. Kearby was transported to a local hospital before being arrested Sunday night on two felony counts of child neglect, failure to register a motor vehicle, driving with suspended or revoked license and a license plate violation.
The children were turned over to a responsible party whose name was redacted from the arrest report.
Kearbey remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $11,500. Weaden was released from jail Monday night on a $12,000 bond.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the scene.
Pictured: The scene at the Molino 1st Stop Sunday after two men were found sleeping in a car with two unattended toddlers. The car in the photo was not involved in the incident. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Mark Your Calendar: Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Returns Next Month
April 19, 2022
Residents in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties can help feed hungry neighbors in need by donating to the Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday, May 14.
This is the 30th year for the National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive – the largest, national, single-day effort to put food on the table for millions of Americans.
Food collected in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties stays local, helping to feed those who are struggling with food insecurity in the community. The NALC food drive was canceled for two years due to the pandemic, and local food banks say the need for a successful event this year is greater than ever.
“Manna has seen the need for food assistance in our community grow significantly since the last Stamp Out Hunger in 2019, and we don’t anticipate it to slow soon,” said Dede Flounlacker, executive director of Manna Food Pantries. “Stamp Out Hunger is the most important annual food drive for many of the area’s food pantries, including Manna. This food drive makes it possible for Manna to feed thousands of children, seniors, veterans, families, and individuals in need. Every food donation collected by letter carriers helps meet the needs of hungry neighbors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.”
Residents are encouraged to leave a bag of healthy, non-perishable food items, such as canned chicken, canned tuna, canned fruit in 100% juice, dry breakfast items (oatmeal, whole-grain cereal), canned vegetables, peanut butter, and/or dry beans next to their mailbox prior to regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 14. Residents should not donate items in glass containers or items that have been opened or homemade.
Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will collect food donations that will benefit individuals and families served by Manna Food Pantries, Feeding the Gulf Coast, ACTS Ministries, We Care Ministries, and Warrington Emergency Aid Center.
“We are so thankful to the National Association of Letter Carriers and our community for their support through this annual food drive. This food will greatly help our one in seven neighbors struggling with hunger,” says Michael Ledger, president & CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast. “Feeding the Gulf Coast has distributed more than 4.3 million meals into Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties to address the increase in need over the last year. Food drives such as Stamp Out Hunger make an incredible impact in helping the food bank and its partners provide steady, nutritious meals to the hard-working families and individuals in our community”
Residents of the two-county area will receive a Stamp Out Hunger postcard reminder in the mail, as well as a bag to fill with donation items.
Northview Nabs Win Over Milton; Tate Freshmen Power Past Navarre
April 19, 2022
Northview 6, Milton 1
The Northview Chiefs took an early lead and defeated the Milton Panthers 6-1 Monday night in Milton.
Jamarkus Jefferson went for five and two-thirds innings, allowing one run and three hits while striking out 11. Josh Landis and Cason Burkett closed.
Jefferson led the Chiefs at the plate, going 3-4, and Landis was 2-3. Trent Knighten, Burkett, Ethan Collier, Rustin Pope, Luke Bridges and Kaden Odom had one hit each.
Tate 13, Navarre 6 (Freshman)
The Tate Aggie Freshmen defeated Navarre 13-6
Zane Warrington surrendered two hits and one run in one inning, while striking out one. Brodie Rhodes, Kaydon Biggs, and Nathan Ozuna pitched in relief.
Trevor Land and Warrington had two hits each to led the Aggies at bat. Kaleb Posta, Taite Davis, Braydon Walker and Amir Sardar each had one hit.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Northview Flag Football Tops Escambia
April 19, 2022
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Escambia Gators 37-6 and 22-6 in a flag football double-header Monday night on Escambia High’s Emmitt Smith Field. Several team members posed together for a fun photo following the game. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Popular Convenience Store Chain Wawa Looking For Escambia County Locations
April 18, 2022
Popular convenience store chain Wawa is looking to expand into Escambia County.
Wawa announced Monday afternoon that they are actively looking for potential sites for new stores in the Pensacola area, along with Panama City, Tallahassee and Mobile. Current plans are for Wawa to open up to 40 stores in these markets beginning in 2024.
“Over the years, we’ve been delighted to hear from so many people from so many areas, who are interested in having a Wawa closer to home. We couldn’t be more excited to bring Wawa’s one-of-a-kind brand and offering to these new markets in the near future,” said John Poplawski, Vice President of Real Estate for Wawa. “We look forward to expanding beyond our current reach and serving these new markets with our quality fresh food and beverages and, as always, our deep commitment to the communities in which we operate.”
In 2022, Wawa will mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of its first Florida store. The store opened July 18, 2012, in Orlando across from SeaWorld. Since then Wawa has expanded rapidly throughout the state and will open its 250th store in Florida later this year. Today, Wawa employs almost 10,000 associates across the Sunshine State.
Storms Were Big And Loud, But Left Just A Little Damage
April 18, 2022
Storms that moved through Escambia County prompted two simultaneous tornado warnings, but there were no confirmed touchdowns.
At the Pensacola International Airport, a peak wind guet of 74 mph — hurricane strength — was recorded.
Scattered wind damage was reported in Escambia County.
In Cottage Hill, the wind took the metal roof off a pole wooden barn (pictured above and first below).
On North Chipper Road, the wind downed trees and tossed a trampoline (pictured below). A trampoline was also blown and became lodged against a retaining wall on the I-110 ramp to Airport Boulevard.
At Sam’s Club, a storage shed on display was blown toward Washington High School and blocked a portion of College Parkway (pictured bottom photo).
The last two images below show the areas included in the tornado warnings and an area of circulation near Beulah.
Additional damage was reported in Baldwin and Santa Rosa counties, including the roof of a bakery in Milton.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Escambia County Jobless Rate Drops By Half A Percentage Point
April 18, 2022
The Escambia County unemployment level declined by half a percentage point last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 2.7% in March, down from 3.2% in February. That represented 4,049 people out of work out of a county workforce of 148,122. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 5%, or 7,256 people.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Pensacola area gained 8,300 private sector jobs (+5.3%) over the year in March 2022. The Pensacola area labor force increased by 7,138 over the year, a 3.1% increase.
The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were trade, transportation, and utilities (+3,000 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (+2,200 jobs). In March 2022, the Pensacola metro area had the fastest over-the-year job growth rate compared to all the metro areas in the state in trade, transportation, and utilities (+8.8%).
Florida’s statewide unemployment rate dropped to 3.2% in March 2022, marking the 16th consecutive month the state’s unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate, which is currently 3.6%. Florida’s labor force is experiencing steady growth, growing by 325,000, or 3.2%, over the year, faster than the national labor force growth rate of 2.4%. As of March 2022, Florida employers added jobs for the 23rd consecutive month, and Florida outpaced the nation in private sector job growth for the 12th consecutive month.