Perdido Gators Win Beachside Blast Tournament
July 17, 2012
The Perdido Gators wonUSFA Beachside Blasttournament this past weekend in Pace.
The 14U girls fast pitch softball team went undefeated this past weekend, allowing a total of only six runs throughout the tournament. Area girls from Northview, Tate, West Florida, Escambia, Pace, and Gulf Breeze high schools make up the Perdido Gators softball team.
The Gators will be headed to Orlando in August to compete in the USSSA World Series.
Pictured: Members of the Perdido Gators (bottom row, L-R) Ashley Young, Kota Berry, Sara Spears, Kristin Gunter, Morgan Peppers, (top row) Lauren Brennan, Angel Lathan, Olivia Printiss, Sydney Ezelle, Ali Cutaio, Mallory Ryan. Coaches are Tracey Ezelle, Greg Spears, Eddie Ryan, and Jeff Cutaio. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Homeless Man Steals Car, Rams Police Cruiser, Tosses Sawed Off Shotgun
July 17, 2012
Multiple charges were filed on a homeless man Sunday after he fled from police in a stolen car, rammed an officer’s car with the vehicle and threw a sawed-off shotgun onto the ground while running from officers.
William E. Waters, 19, no permanent address, was charged with fleeing/eluding police, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, resisting without violence, and not having a driver’s license.
The incident began around 12:15 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of “I” and Cervantes streets after Pensacola Police Officer Chris Grantham spotted the stolen vehicle.
Officers tried to stop the vehicle at Barcelona and Cervantes streets but Waters, who was driving the car, refused to stop.
The stolen Lincoln Towncar collided with the front of a cruiser at Spring and Cervantes streets, and continued eluding officers until it stopped in a grassy lot southwest of Jackson and “D” streets where the driver fled.
Officer Charles Decker and Officer David Hausner and his K-9 Kyros found Waters hiding in a yard in the 500 block of North “D” Street.
During a search of the area, officers found a loaded sawed-off shotgun wrapped in a white T-shirt that one of the officers had seen the suspect throw to the ground during a foot chase.
Waters was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $66,500.
Covenant Hospice Seeks Volunteers
July 17, 2012
Covenant Hospice is seeking individuals and groups to join its award-winning volunteer team.
A training workshop will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 21 at the Covenant Hospice branch office, located at 6479 Caroline St., Suite B in Milton. The workshop is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be provided.
Covenant Hospice Volunteer Training will present an overview of hospice care and volunteer choices. Individuals and groups are needed to provide support for Covenant programs including office work, community outreach, and fundraising. Patient and family support volunteers are needed to provide friendly visits, companionship, breaks for caregivers, light housekeeping, transportation, assistance with yard work or home repair, and more. Active duty military and veteran volunteers are needed to support Covenant’s We Honor Veteran’s Program. Working and retired professionals are also needed to share their expertise.
Covenant provides a flexible volunteer schedule with opportunities for one time, periodic or weekly volunteer assignments. Volunteers receive ongoing educational opportunities and are honored annually for their contributions. To register or to learn more, call Hope Ripley or Sharon Oakes at (850) 202-5802 or 202-5948.
Nearly 2,500 volunteers support 13 branch locations throughout Florida and Alabama. Covenant’s volunteer program received three Awards of Excellence from Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Annual surveys indicate 98 percent of Covenant’s volunteers are highly satisfied with their volunteer experiences. Covenant Hospice is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate services to patients and loved ones during times of life-limiting illnesses.
Mary Peacock Morris
July 17, 2012
Mrs. Mary Peacock Morris, 90, passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2012, at a Jay hospital.
Mrs. Morris was a native of Byrneville and a resident of Jay since 1934. She attended the Sardis First Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her Husband, Johnny A. Morris, a Son, Preston Morris, 3 Grandsons, Michael Morris, Stevie Morris and Preston Morris Jr., 3 Sisters and 3 Brothers.
She was preceded indeath by her husband, Johnny A. Morris; a son, Preston Morris; three grandsons, Michael Morris, Stevie Morris and Preston Morris Jr.; three sisters and three brothers.
She is survived by three sons, Alton Morris of Brewton, Mason (Debra) Morris of Jay, and Ronnie (Fran) Morris of Bratt, Fla.; a daughter, Vivian Joiner of Jay; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at noon at the Petty- Eastside Chapel with Rev. Jesse Wood officiating.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 18, 2012, from 11 a.m. until funeral time at the Petty Eastside Chapel.
Burial will follow at Sardis Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Leon Peacock, William Sheffield, Jeremy Morris, Lavon Caraway, Curtis Lowry and Neal Lowry.
Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Suns Shut Down Wahoos 2-1
July 17, 2012
Jacksonville starting pitcher Graham Taylor held the Blue Wahoos to just three hits in six shutout innings of work, while catcher Kyle Skipworth launched his eighth homer of the year in the sixth, as the Suns defeated Pensacola 2-1 on Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
With the victory, Jacksonville improved to an 11-14 record in the second half and take a 2-1 lead in the series, while Pensacola fell to 15-10 since the league’s All-Star Break.
Taylor (6.0 IP, 3 H, 4 SO) held the Fish bats quiet throughout his six solid frames, yielding just three hits while fanning four to earn the win and bump his season tally to 5-8. Relievers Joshua Schmidt (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) and A.J. Ramos (1.0 IP, 1 SO) each fired a scoreless inning of relief in support of Taylor, with Schmidt notching his seventh hold and Ramos his 11th save. Pensacola starter J.C. Sulbaran (4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 6-7 on the year.
Jacksonville struck first in the third for the early 1-0 lead. Taylor began the frame with a leadoff single to left before LF Jake Smolinski walked and SS Chris Gutierrez singled to load the bases for 3B Paul Gran. With a full count, Gran took the payoff pitch outside for ball four to bring home Taylor and push the Suns ahead. Jacksonville would then double their advantage in the sixth when Skipworth launched his eighth home run of the year over the right field fence.
Pensacola would then plate their lone score in the following frame thanks to a longball of their own. 1B Beau Mills mashed the 1-0 pitch to deep right field, putting the scoreboard in jeopardy for his seventh homer of the year. It was the second roundtripper in as many nights for Mills, and his fifth in the month of July.
Taylor (2-2, 1 R) and Gutierrez (2-4, 1 BB) each collected a pair of hits for the Suns in the win, while Mills (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) was the lone Blue Wahoos batter to record a multi-hit effort. Taylor had come into the contest hitless in his first 18 at bats this year before reaching on singles in both appearances Monday night.
Jacksonville and Pensacola will meet Tuesday night for the final time this year, with first pitch set for 7:00 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. The Fish are slated to send RHP Wirfin Obispo to the mound for the series finale, while the Suns are expected to give the nod to RHP Matthew Neil.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Carolyn L. Stewart
July 17, 2012
Mrs. Carolyn L. Stewart, 62, passed away on July 14, 2012, at a Mobile hospital.
Mrs. Stewart was a native and life long resident of Perdido, AL. Mrs. Stewart attended the Fretwell Tabernacle Church.
Survivors include her husband, David Stewart of Perdido, AL; two daughters, Dana Stewart (Wesley) Cooley of Perdido and Michelle Stewart (Anthony) Kimbler of Robertsdale; six brothers, Royce Lambeth of Perdido, Eddie Lambeth of Perdido, Joe Lambeth of Perdido, Kenny Lambeth of Perdido, Carey Lambeth of Perdido,and Shannon Lambeth of Perdido; two sisters, Joyce Lambeth Mitchem of Perdido and Fannie Garrison of Bay Minette; and two grandchildren, Alanna Cooley and Adrian Cooley of Perdido.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 3:00 P.M. at the Fretwell Tabernacle Church with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial will follow at Bryars-McGill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, July 16, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Adrian Cooley, Adam Capers, Earl Parker, Leroy Troupes, Anthony Kimbler Sr. and Jerry Stewart.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Mosquito Spraying Planned Tonight In Cantonment Area
July 16, 2012
The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division plans to spray in the Cantonment area tonight from 6:30 until 10:00.
Spraying will occur in two areas, bounded by:
- Becks Lake Road, Old Chemstrand Road, Conference Road/Garman Road, Highway 95A/Highway 29
- Old Chemstrand Road, Boulder Creek Drive, Wiggins Lane, Highway 95A
The following information was released by the Escambia County Mosquito Control Division:
Mosquito control administration and operations teams have directed surveillance activity, identified target mosquito species and determined that today’s justified actions are warranted. Methods used to determine necessary fogging mission activity include dry ice-baited light traps, landing rate counts and receiving focally located service requests from the public.
Fogging mission hours vary by start and conclusion times, but generally adult mosquito pesticides are applied in the early evening hours. We ask residents to keep travel in these areas to a minimum during spray times.
For additional information or to request service, please contact the Mosquito Control Division during normal business hours at 937-2188.
Surveillance Photos Released From Hwy 29 Tom Thumb Robbery
July 16, 2012
Surveillance photos have been released from an early Sunday morning armed robbery at a Highway 29 convenience store.
The Tom Thumb store at Highway 29 and Roberts Road was robbed at gunpoint about 5:30 a.m. The suspect was described as a black male wearing a black and white checkered hoodie.
Deputies said the armed man demanded money, the clerk complied and the suspect fled the store.
There were no injuries reported.
The first Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the store within about two minutes. The deputies quickly established a perimeter around the store, and a K-9 was called to assist in the search for the suspect.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
PSC To Consider Potential Gulf Power Nuclear Plant Rate Increase
July 16, 2012
State regulators could on Tuesday decide a controversy about a potential Gulf Power nuclear power plant site in North Escambia.
The Florida Public Service Commission will consider a Gulf Power proposal to allow it to collect money from customers related to the purchase of 2,700 acres for a potential nuclear power plant near McDavid. The PSC earlier this year rejected a Gulf Power proposal to build site costs into base electric rates, but Gulf Power is trying to convince regulators to reverse that decision.
In June, the commission decided to put off a decision on the proposal until July 17 to allow more time to review some of the key issues.
Attorneys for consumers and business groups are fighting Gulf Power on the issue, with Joe McGlothlin, an attorney with the state Office of Public Counsel, telling the PSC in June that “you’ve heard it before”.
“An analysis of facts demonstrates Gulf Power doesn’t need the North Escambia site,” said McGlothlin, whose office represents consumers in utility issues.
But Gulf Power attorney Jeffrey Stone said last month that the North Escambia site is important to the utility because it could house a nuclear or other type of plant, is in the western part of Gulf’s service area and has good access to transportation.
“It’s the only property Gulf has that is suitable for all forms of future generation,” Stone said.
The proposal would have a small effect on customers’ bills — it would allow Gulf Power to collect slightly more than $2 million from customers in 2012, according to a company filing.
Commissioner Art Graham has expressed concerns about not allowing Gulf Power to collect money for the site. Graham said it is difficult to try to find land for nuclear-power plants, particularly if they are near residential areas, and he doesn’t “want to see this opportunity go by the wayside.”
“Residential intrusion is something you want to avoid at all costs,” Graham said.
But Graham, McGlothlin and PSC staff also pointed to questions about another undeveloped site that Gulf Power has long owned in Caryville. Graham said he is concerned about adding the Escambia County site to the rate base in addition to the Caryville site.
Last month, the PSC did approve a plan by Gulf Power Company to take advantage of low fuel costs and trim customers’ monthly electric bills by an average of nearly $10 a month. The change will be noticeable for customers of Pensacola-based utility as fuel costs make up a major portion of monthly bill. Residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity will see their bills drop from $126.53 to $116.61.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Pictured: Some of the property purchased by Gulf Power Company near McDavid that could potentially be used for a nuclear power plant in the coming years. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Trapped Under Flipped Jeep
July 16, 2012
Two people were injured when they flipped their Jeep Sunday evening on a Cantonment dirt road, trapping one man underneath.
The accident happened about 6:40 in the 1500 block of Becks Lake Road, about 2.5 miles east of Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 44-year old David W. Oglesby of Cantonment lost control, flipped his 1976 Jeep and struck a tree. He was thrown and pinned underneath the vehicle.
Oglesby was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. His passenger, 51-year old Catherine Peterson of Cantonment, was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Neither person was wearing a seat belt, according to FHP.
Pictured above and below: A Cantonment man was trapped under a flipped Jeep Sunday evening in Cantonment. Pictured inset: A man was airlifted by Lifeflight from a golf course on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
