3 Injured In Hwy 4 Crash
May 2, 2012
Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash Wednesday night in Davisville.
A car and a Toyota T100 pickup collided on West Highway 4 near Highway 97 about 6:45 p.m. Three people were transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
West Highway 4 was closed about an hour due to the crash.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured above and below: Three people were injured in this crash early Wednesday night on West Highway 4 near Highway 97 in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Continues Tonight
May 2, 2012
A weak low pressure system will move across the central Gulf today, bringing along a lot of moisture and increasing chances of rain. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Special Feature: Along The North Escambia Trail With A Wagon Train
May 2, 2012
The scene Tuesday very well could have been a postcard snapshot of the dawning of Walnut Hill in the 1800’s. Freshly plowed fields stretch across the flat land, blue skies with a few puffy white clouds floating along in a gentle breeze, piney woods in the distance. Nearby, railroad tracks sat empty, awaiting the next freighter’s horn to break the melody of birds singing.
In the distance, the outline of a wagon train could be seen approaching, a baker’s dozen strong with outriders for protection. Moving nearer, the sound grew louder of horseshoes — clump, clump, clump — and of chains rattling used to connect horses, mules and tack to handcrafted wagons.
For a photo gallery, click here.
But this was May 1, 2012. And in our modern zip-zip fast paced world, wagon trains tend to draw a bit of attention. And that was the point on the annual wagon train ride to the Tate High School FFA Rodeo. The ride started Saturday morning in Barnett Crossroads, just north of I-65 in Escambia County, Ala. It ends Friday night at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Pensacola for Tate FFA Rodeo’s grand parade.
It’s a 20 year old tradition started by the late Selmer Thompson with a ride from Barrineau Park to Pensacola. This year is the first annual week long event.
At one to four horsepower, or mule-power each, it’s slow ride with a top speed of about 3.5 mph that provides the opportunity to take in the surroundings. And to be neighborly, speaking and waving to the bystanders that gather along the highways or in their yards to watch the unique picture of Americana pass by.
“It’s just an amazing thing,” participant Tina Martin said. “There’s nothing like it.”
“When you ride in a car, you can see what man has made,” wagon owner James Smith said. “But when you ride in a wagon or on a horse, you stop and have time to see what God made.”
Catching up with the ride Tuesday afternoon on Corley Road for the photos on the page, our photographer discovered that the only way back to his car from a ride along with the wagon would be a horse. There were no escort vehicles, no trucks full of supplies. This was a real deal, old-timey wagon train through the countryside.
But it’s not a total step back into time — some of the wagons have battery powered lights, fans and radios — country music, of course. And a few wagons were equipped with BBQ grills mounted at the rear. No need for a drive-thru when the ride is a self-contained, on the move BBQ house.
The actual ride Tuesday was our second encounter with the die hard wagoneers. Modern life, roughing it style, was more evident at the group’s camp Monday night on Highway 164 at Velor Road.
They had just finished a 13 mile trek from Canoe, Alabama. The horses and mules were grazing and resting.
“They eat before we do,” Smith said, gesturing toward the animals.
The wind rustled through the campsite beneath tall pecan trees. A welcomed cool breeze following a hot last day of April with a high in the 90’s — made worse by the open air ride over asphalt.
In the old days of the Tate FFA ride, trail riders would sleep on the ground, or air mattress popped up in the back of a pickup. But this is 2012, after all. The generators hummed outside dual purpose trailers — part horse trailer part in the front and part comfy RV in the back. It’s chance to rest in the A/C or watch a little TV while getting ready to hit the highways again in the morning.
“I just love it,” Martin said. “It’s an experience you’ll never forget.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Mistrial Declared In Case Of Molino ‘Underwear Robber’
May 2, 2012
A mistrial was declared due to a deadlocked jury in the trial of a Molino man accused of robbing a local pharmacy in 2010 while wearing underwear on his head.
The jury trial of Joseph Daniel Flowers, now 58, got underway Thursday on multiple charges including robbery with a firearm and several drug possession charges for the September 20, 2010, holdup of Scott’s Pharmacy on Highway 29.
The jury deliberations in the case began at 12:25 p.m. The jury was polled and found to be deadlocked at 5:15 p.m., and Judge Gary Bergosh declared a mistrial with the jury still deadlocked at 5:45 p.m.
The state will try to prove their case again in a new trail. Flowers is scheduled to be back in court May 24 for a docket hearing to set a trial date. in the meantime, Flowers remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Flowers allegedly robbed Scott’s Pharmacy while wearing a bathrobe, slippers, yellow kitchen gloves and underwear on his head. His trial was delayed for months before he was declared competent to stand trial.
Pictured top: Joseph Daniel Flowers is detained by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the robbery of Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. Pictured below: Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino was robbed September 20, 2010. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Lady Royals Win Regionals, Setting Up Historic Trip To State
May 2, 2012
The Jay Lady Royals won the Class 1A Softball Regional Championship at home Tuesday night 7-6 over the Holmes County Lady Blue Devils.
The game was tied 6-6 in the sixth when senior Tessa Hendricks powered a double to right field. With a double from Camille Driver, the Royals claimed a historic victory; it’s the first trip ever to the state finals in fast pitch softball for the Lady Royals.
The win means a final four road trip for Jay (20-3) for the state finals May 7-8 at the National Training Center Softball Complex in Clermont, Fla.
The Jay Lady Royals will face Port St. Joe Jr-Sr High at 11 a.m. (CDT) on Monday, May 7. Port St. Joe is coming off a 5-4 regional win over Liberty County.
The 1A final game will then be played Tuesday, May 8 at 4 p.m. (CDT). Admission will be $9 per game, with no passes.
WP—Sydney Lowery (17-3; 7 IP, 6 R, 7 H, 6 ER, 4 K, HB, BB)
Jay— Tessa Hendricks 3-4, 3 R, 2 2B, RBI; Olivia Wright 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB; Camille Driver 2-4, 2 RBI, 2B; Ashlyn Geck 1-4, R; Becca Calloway 2-3, 3B, 4 RBI, BB
Shots Fired At Repo Man
May 2, 2012
Authorities in Escambia County, Ala., are searching for the person that allegedly opened fire as a repo man attempted to find and reclaim a white Cadillac.
The incident happened about noon on Goldenrod Lane, near the intersection of East Sunset and Martin Luther King drives just outside the Atmore city limits. An employee of an repossession company was searching for the vehicle when it pulled up. A short time later, the repo man reported hearing shots fired.
There were no injuries reported in the incident.
Authorities are asking that anyone with information about the incident call the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 867-0304 or the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
Wahoos Win 5-4 Over Jackson Generals
May 2, 2012
Blue Wahoos left fielder Cody Puckett drove in three runs, including the tying run on a solo home run in the sixth and a walk-off single in the tenth, to give Pensacola a 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Jackson Generals on Tuesday night at Pensacola’s bay-front stadium.
The win gives Pensacola a 1-0 advantage in the five-game series with the Generals, who entered tonight’s contest with the Southern League’s best record at 17-8.
With two outs in the extra frame, C Koyie Hill reached base on an infield single and went to second on an error by Jackson reliever Brian Moran to set the stage for Puckett. The left fielder drove the 1-2 pitch over the head of Generals left fielder Chris Pettit to end the game and cue the celebration.
Puckett (3-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB) also led off the sixth inning with a solo blast to left to tie the game at 4-4 and drove in another run on a run-scoring single in the fourth as part of his three-hit day. Hill (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) along with 3B Henry Rodriguez (2-4, 1 BB) also recorded multi-hit efforts for the Blue Wahoos in the contest.
Jackson got off to an early 4-0 lead after three innings courtesy in part to RBI doubles from SS Nick Franklin and 1B Rich Poythress in the opening inning. After an RBI groundout in the third, Pettit increased the margin to 4-0 with an RBI double in the fourth.
Pensacola reliever Donnie Joseph (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 SO) earned his third victory of the season as part of a Blue Wahoos relief corps that yielded just three hits and no walks in the final six frames. Moran (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER) suffered the loss to fall to 0-1 after pitching the tenth frame.
The Blue Wahoos and Generals will meet again Wednesday night for the second game of the series, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm from Pensacola’s multi-use stadium. RHP Pedro Villarreal is expected to get the nod for Pensacola, while LHP James Paxton, the third-best prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization according to Baseball America is slated to start for Jackson.
By Andrew Green
Pictured top: Cody Puckett’s walk-off single in the bottom of the tenth gave Pensacola a 5-4 win over the Jackson Generals Tuesday night in Pensacola. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Getting Ready: Gulf Power Holds Hurricane Drill
May 2, 2012
Gulf Power held their annual hurricane drill Tuesday, just a month before the official start of hurricane season.
Even though our area of the Gulf Coast might be spared from a storm, the electric utility’s employees know they are likely to go somewhere in the Southeast to help restore power after a major storm.
“We prepare year-round for storm restoration,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power Media Relations, “and, because of our training and the assistance we offer to other regions every year, our crews are among the best in the nation at emergency restoration. We are glad to help others because we know we can count on them to help us if a hurricane hits here.”
The company follows a detailed plan to rebuild the electrical system following a hurricane and works closely with county emergency management personnel. Every Gulf Power employee has a storm assignment and if needed, the company brings in thousands of outside utility workers to help.
The drill included scenarios that tested the company’s comprehensive plan to restore electric service and to handle the logistics of feeding, housing and supplying thousands of workers for more than two weeks.
“After Hurricane Ivan we had more than 5,000 workers who came to Northwest Florida to help us,” Smith said. “That means we have to have thousands of meals prepared, thousands of clean beds and be prepared to provide bathroom facilities, medical treatment, clothes-washing facilities, diesel fuel for the trucks, ice, water — not to mention miles of wire, hundreds of new poles and transformers and other equipment. The logistics are extremely important to ensuring a safe, orderly and swift restoration of power. That’s why drills and planning are so important.”
The utility said planning is also important for Gulf Power’s 431,000 customers. Gulf Power’s storm center website offers comprehensive preparation and safety information, as well as general storm tips and directions on how to report outages.
“Providing assistance to other utilities every year gives us a chance to test our logistics and help others in need,” Smith said. “The work is long and hard, but we are prepared and willing to help if needed. Everyone knows their assignments and our employees really come together to not only restore power, but also restore hope for our
customers and our communities.”
Pictured top: Gulf Power workers help with power restoration near Baltimore last year following Hurricane Irene. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Deputy’s House Burglarized, Set On Fire; Weapons, Ammo, Badges Stolen
May 2, 2012
The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office is investigating the targeted attack upon the home of one of their own — an attack that ended with the theft of guns, ammunition, bulletproof vests and badges, spray painted his patrol car and attempted to burn his house to the ground.
The incident occurred Saturday, April 21 at the officer’s residence in Milton, the SRSO announced on Monday. The officer, Lt. Chris Watson, and his wife, Bonita Watson (a Santa Rosa County probation officer) were away for the weekend. While they were away, an unknown suspect or suspects came to their residence and burglarized it, along with his county vehicle.
Numerous firearms, ammunition, bullet proof vests, badges, and other law enforcement items were stolen from the home and vehicle. A large amount of electronics and jewelry was also taken. The suspect then vandalized his county patrol vehicle with spray paint, stole his personal pickup truck (a 2005 dark blue Chevy Avalanche), and then set fire to the home after dousing the master bedroom with gasoline. The fire did not destroy the entire house; however, it caused extensive damage.
The Chevy Avalanche was recovered three days later along Scenic Highway in Pensacola.
The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office believes this was a targeted attack on the lieutenant or his wife because some of the graffiti on the patrol vehicle state “You can get 1 but you cant get m all (expletive)”.
“This incident is being investigated and every available resource is being utilized to identify, capture, arrest, and convict the person or persons responsible for these criminal acts. The
nature and severity of this case should be of substantial concern to the public, as well as to the law enforcement community as a whole. Those responsible for this crime already have a bold and dangerous mindset in order to commit this type of crime; now they are armed with weapons, badges, and body armor,” said Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the crime or who may have seen Watson’s 2005 Chevy Avalanche during the time period is asked to call Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP. Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers is providing a cash reward of $5000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.
Pictured top: The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle belonging to Lt. Chris Watson. Pictured below: Someone torched Watson’s bedroom on April 21, according to information released May 1. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Of Students Attend SkillsUSA Events
May 2, 2012
More than 5,000 students are gathering this week in Pensacola for the 2012 Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo and Florida SkillsUSA State Competition.
Florida SkillsUSA competitors will face off to showcase their technical trade talents and leadership abilities at the Florida SkillsUSA State Competition, which will be held conjunction with the Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo. The event started Sunday and continues through today.
The Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo is showcasing businesses and vendors in technical and vocational career fields by engaging more than 3,000 local seventh- and eighth-grade students, and more than 2,000 high school and college students from throughout the state of Florida. Many of the students are from the North Escambia area.
The expo is featuring exciting hands-on and interactive experiences in 16 “worlds” and “industry sectors” ranging from the “World of Energy” to the “World of Finance.”
“We are so excited to participate in the ‘World of Energy’ again this year,” said Jennifer Grove, Gulf Power’s Workforce Development coordinator. “We’re hopeful this expo will help spark the interest of many students to carefully consider their education so they can begin preparing for a career.”
The four-day event is estimated to have a $2.5 million economic impact on the local community,