Broken Down: LifeFlight Helicopter Grounded In Walnut Hill
May 4, 2013
A LifeFlight helicopter was grounded in Walnut Hill Thursday afternoon. The helicopter had responded to the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97 to transport a patient to Pensacola. Shortly after the helicopter lifted from the ground, it experienced a reported radio problem and aborted the flight. The patient was transported by ambulance to Pensacola with no additional complications. The 2010 Eurocopter is operated by Air Methods for Baptist Health Care. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Biscuits Beat The Wahoos 3-2
May 4, 2013
The Montgomery Biscuits rallied from an early two-run deficit to beat the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 3-2 on Friday night in front of 4,662 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. With the win, Montgomery clinched the five-game series by winning the first three contests.
Trailing 2-0 after the first inning, the Biscuits tied the game in the third on a two-run triple from Mikie Mahtook. It stayed that way until the eighth inning when Montgomery took advantage of wild Pensacola pitching. Lee Hyde loaded the bases with two walks and a single before being lifted for Drew Hayes. With nobody out, Hayes struck out back-to-back hitters, but wasn’t able to escape the frame without the Biscuits pushing across the go-ahead run on a five-pitch walk to Mark Thomas. Hayes would strike out Shawn O’Malley to avert further danger.
Pensacola jumped out to an early two-run lead in the first as the first four batters reached, culminating in RBI base knocks from Ryan LaMarre and Steve Selsky. Those would be the only runs the Blue Wahoos could muster but it wasn’t for lack of opportunities. Pensacola had the bags packed and one out in the seventh but Travis Mattair bounced into a 6-4-3 double play to keep the game tied at two.
In the ninth, Pensacola had the tying run at second with one out, but Juan Sandoval was able to get out of the jam with two groundouts sandwiched around a hit by pitch. Sandoval picked up his sixth save of the season in the process.
Matt Nevarez (2-0) earned the win for the Biscuits by tossing 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Starter Merrill Kelly went 6.1 frames for Montgomery and allowed two runs on six hits, striking out five and walking a pair.
Daniel Renken settled for a no-decision for Pensacola despite tossing a quality start. Renken went six innings, yielding two runs (one earned) on four hits while tying a season-high with six strikeouts. Hyde (1-3) picked up the loss by giving up a run on a hit in .1 innings while walking three.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series with the Biscuits on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. Josh Smith gets the start for Pensacola against Montgomery’s Enny Romero. It will be Boy Scout night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium with local scout troops participating in pre-game activities and sleeping over after the game. I
story by Kevin Burke
Photos by Gary McCracken for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Greater Escambia Relay At Tate To Go On Rain Or Shine
May 3, 2013
Organizers say the annual Greater Escambia Relay at Tate High School will go on tonight regardless of rain.
The annual Relay for Life fundraiser kicks off at 6:00 tonight and will continue into the overnight hours, regardless of weather conditions. The area will be filled with cancer survivors and people from all walks of life hoping to find a cure to the killer disease.
“It’s looking like we are getting a lucky break in the weather,” said Pat Clements, Relay For Life of Greater Escambia event chair. “We are not going to let a little rain set us back from this important fight.”
The opening ceremony will be at 6 p.m. with a Survivor Lap followed by the Luminaria Ceremony at 9 p.m. Closing ceremonies begin at 11:30 Saturday morning.
Atmore Police Searching For Murder Suspect
May 3, 2013
This suspect has been arrested. For an updated story, click here.
The Atmore Police Department has named a suspect in the murder of a local man last Sunday morning.
An arrest warrant has been issued for 28-year old Kendrell “Dick” McCants of Atmore. He is accused in the death of 50-year old Marvin D. Norman of Atmore.
McCants’ last known address is 406 Peachtree Street in Atmore. He is described as a black male, 5-foot 9-inches tall, weighing 137 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair.
At 6:17 a.m. on April 28, Atmore Police responded to a reported unconscious person in the 80 block of Brooks Lane. As officers arrived, they observed a man later identified as Norman on the ground in a yard. Police said he had injuries consistent with an assault.
Norman was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital. He was later airlifted by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he passed away a short time later.
The Atmore Police Department is asking for anyone with information on the whereabouts of McCants to call (251) 368-9141 or 911.
Photos: Fire Destroys Pickup Truck In Century
May 3, 2013
Fire destroyed a GMC pickup on Lodge Drive in Century this afternoon. The blaze was reported just after 2 p.m. and was quickly extinguished by Escambia County Fire Rescue Engine 519. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Woman Rear-Ends School Bus In Cantonment
May 3, 2013
A Molino woman was cited by the Florida Highway Patrol after rear-ending a school bus Friday morning on Highway 29.
The FHP said 39-year old Audra Mae Parker was southbound on Highway 29 near Muscogee Road about 7:45 a.m. when she rear-ended the bus that was stopped at railroad tracks that cross Highway 29. There was no visible damage to the bus driven by 41-year old Patricia Darlene Johnson of Molino, while Parker’s Toyota Corolla suffered about $500 in damage.
There were 14 Tate High School students on the bus at the time of the crash, none of which were injured.
Parker was cited by the FHP for careless driving.
Escambia County Government Back In Business After Power Failure
May 3, 2013
The Escambia County Ernie Lee Magaha Governmental Building and other downtown Escambia County governmental offices have reopened. The offices were without power for hours earlier today following a vehicle accident at Baylen and Intendencia streets.
The Magaha building houses the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, County Administration, Escambia County Property Appraiser and portions of the Clerk of Courts and Comptroller office.
The outages also impacted operations at the Janet Holley Tax Collector office and the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office.
All employees are instructed to report to their supervisors for further instruction.
One Injured In Jacks Branch Road Curve Accident
May 3, 2013
One person was injured in a two-vehicle collision Fridaymorning on Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment.
The accident happened just after 7:00 in a sharp curve on Jacks Branch Road between the two ends of Green Tree Circle, just west of Muscogee Road. A
The Florida Highway Patrol said 45-year old Johnny Whitehurst of Cantonment was northbound on Jacks Branch Road when he drifted over the center line in the curve and side-swiped a southbound Buick driven by 53-year old Brenda Ricketts of Pensacola.
Ricketts was transported to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries. Her passenger, 22-year old Bontrice Warren of Pensacola, was not injured. Whitehurst, also not injured, was cited for failing to drive in a single lane.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: One person was injured in this two vehicle crash on Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment Friday morning. Reader submitted photo by Stacey Cain, click to enlarge.
Century Couple Charged With Exploiting Elderly Woman
May 3, 2013
A Century husband and wife have been charged with financially exploiting an elderly woman.
Lashonda Marsha Johnson, 41, and Eric Russell Johnson 43, both of Jefferson Avenue, Century, were charged with felony exploitation of an elderly person. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Lashonda Johnson worked for Granny Nannies as a certified nursing assistant for the victim at the time of the alleged crime in 2011.
After the Johnsons were denied a loan in December 2011 to purchase a 2011 Buick Lacrosse, Eric Johnson returned to Pen Air Federal Credit Union with his wife’s elderly client and used the elderly woman’s good credit to obtain a $28,583 loan as a co-signer, deputies said. The elderly woman, according to an arrest report, lacked the physical and mental capacity to consent to the loan.
In March 2013, the elderly woman’s son discovered the loan and contact sheriff’s investigators. According to an arrest report, Eric Johnson returned to Pen Air in April 2012 to refinance the vehicle only in his name. The vehicle was later returned to the credit union after Eric Johnson filed bankruptcy.
After their arrests this week, both Johnsons were released from the Escambia County Jail on $5,000 bond each.
Northview High’s Presentation Of ‘Grease’ Is Sold Out
May 3, 2013
Northview High School’s presentation of the musical Grease tonight in the school theatre is sold out. There will be no tickets available at the door.
The “school version” of Grease removes all profanity and lewd behavior and is appropriate for audiences of all ages. This abridged version retains the fun-loving spirit and immortal songs that make Grease a favorite among rock and roll fans of all ages.