Scott Asks Obama To Issue Major Disaster Declaration
May 6, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott has asked President Barack Obama to issue a major disaster declaration for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties because of storms and flooding that have inundated the western Panhandle since April 7.
“At this time, I request that only individual assistance be included within the major disaster declaration,” Scott wrote to the president Monday. “However, I anticipate a future request for a public assistance declaration. Also, I expect that additional counties will qualify for federal assistance under both the individual and public assistance programs.”
Scott added that economic losses could exceed $100 million.
Last week, Scott declared a state of emergency in 26 counties from Escambia to Alachua due to heavy rains and flooding.
“We must do everything we can to ensure that these families can get back on their feet, and this declaration would support those efforts. I look forward to going back to the Panhandle later this week to further assess the progress of recovery operations,” the governor said.
Three Injured In Nokomis Wreck; Cab Tore Off Pickup Frame
May 5, 2014
Three people were injured in a single vehicle accident in Nokomis Monday afternoon that tore the cab of a pickup truck off its frame.
The accident happened about 1:30 p.m. on Nokomis Road near Jakes Road, about three miles west of Highway 97. The driver of a Chevrolet Silverado Z71 pickup truck apparently ran off the roadway, over-corrected and then overturned several times.
Three people were transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with injuries that were not considered serious.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not been released. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win Third In A Road, Takes Series Over Jackson
May 5, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won the rubber match against the Jackson Generals on Sunday. The Wahoos (13-17) exploded offensively to win their third game in a row over the Generals (14-16). Brodie Greene led the game off with a home run in the top of the first inning and the Wahoos never looked back.
RHP Mikey O’Brien made his first start of the season for the Wahoos. O’Brien had his longest outing of the year; he went 5.0 innings and gave up just one run. The right-hander struck out four batters and surrendered three hits. LHP Fabian Williamson was fantastic in relief of O’Brien, pitching 3.0 innings and giving up just one hit.
Greene went 3-for-6 with three RBI, including his first home run of the year. Bryan Anderson once again was a key component to the Pensacola offense. He went 3-for-4 with three RBI and hit his second triple of the season. Juan Silverio bounced back after a tough start to the series; he went 2-for-5 with an RBI. The Wahoos scored at least five runs so use the promo code WAHOOS and receive 50% off your entire order Monday at PapaJohns.com
Jackson’s Tyler Olson made his first ever Double-A start and the Wahoos hit him hard. Olson made it only 4.0 innings, giving up 10 hits and 6 R/ER. Moises Hernandez came on relief and steadied the ship for the Generals; he went 3.0 innings and gave up 1 R/0 ER. Jackson’s third baseman Ramon Moria had the only RBI on the evening for the Generals, a solo shot off of O’Brien.
The Wahoos will return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Monday to take on the Chattanooga Lookouts for a five-game home stand. RHP Daniel Corcino (2-3, 4.26) will head to the bump for the Wahoos in the first game of the series. The Lookouts have yet to determine their starting pitcher for Monday.
by Joey Truncale
Drying Out: Warm, No Mention Of Rain Until Friday
May 5, 2014
su
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Sunny, with a high near 88. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 57. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 87. Light southeast wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Friday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
- Saturday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.
- Saturday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
- Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84.
Three Face Sentences In Brutal July 2013 Cantonment Beating
May 5, 2014
Three defendants have now either been convicted or entered pleas in connection with a severe beating over the Fourth of July 2013 weekend in Cantonment.
Jordan Scott Garrett, now 18, was convicted of felony aggravated battery Tuesday by an Escambia County jury. He will remain free on bond until a late June sentencing by Judge Gary Bergosh. Clark was a 17-year old juvenile at the time of the incident, but was charged as an adult.
Zachary Nathan Clark, now 20, pleaded no contest to felony aggravated battery. He remains free on bond as he awaits sentencing in late June.
Kaleb Orion Willcutt, now 16, was 15 at the time of the beating and tried as an adult. He was adjudged delinquent and sentenced to the Department of Juvenile Justice High Risk Program.
When Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home in the 700 block of Jacks Branch Road in July 2013 they found 19-year old Glenn Widish in the bathroom of the home, barely conscious, not able to talk and having difficulty breathing. Deputies reported his “face was swollen beyond recognition”.
Witnesses told deputies that the four teens were at the home, and Widish has been drinking shots of alcohol. Garrett became angry with Widish over a song that was playing and punched him three times in the face, witnesses told deputies. After Garrett punched Widish again, they ended up on the ground where Clark grabbed Widish and held him. Garrett also held Widish’s feet and they told Willcutt to hit him, an arrest report states.
Willcutt hit Widish three times, while Clark and Garrett began kicking and punching him in the head, face, back and stomach, the report states.
“I hope you die on this property,” a witness told deputies Willcutt said.
Widish was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital as a “trauma alert”. Deputies were originally unable to speak to him because he remained unconscious at a Sacred Heart Hospital. He suffered a fractured eye orbital, a fractured nose and was unable to maintain on open airway after the beating, according to the arrest report.
Red Cross Delivering Recovery Items To Flooded Neighborhoods
May 5, 2014
As flood waters recede, additional pockets of damage continue to be discovered as the Red Cross and its government partners expand disaster assessment efforts in Northwest Florida. Residents of affected areas are hard at work to clean up and salvage what they can.
To assist individual recovery efforts, the Red Cross has multiple teams working across affected areas to provide assistance. The Red Cross will distribute clean-up supplies, water and snacks at the following fixed site on Monday, May 5 at the Gulf Breeze City Hall, 10070 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze – from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Red Cross will also have mobile units in affected neighborhoods starting at 9 a.m. on Monday. General areas include Navarre in Santa Rosa County and Beulah, Piedmont Road, Ashland Avenue, Corrydale and Lake Charlene in Escambia County.
Supplies available from the Red Cross include items such as tarps, work gloves, flashlights and clean-up kits. Additionally, Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles will accompany bulk distribution vehicles to provide snacks and water.
Photo Gallery: Shrek The Musical
May 5, 2014
Northview High School presented two performances of Shrek the Musical over the weekend. The musical was based on the Oscar winning DreamWorks film that started it all, bringing the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage.
The production starred Cory Hester as Shrek, Anna Donald as Fiona, Kendrick Walker as Donkey, Kent Smith as Farquaad and host of other Northview students.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com Publisher Named One Of Area’s Most Influential People
May 5, 2014
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2014 IN Power List — their ranking of the most the most powerful and influential people in the Pensacola area.
Only two people that work primarily in the North Escambia area were named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds of Walnut Hill at number 65 and Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry of Cantonment at number 38.
Topping this year’s list was attorney Mike Papantonio.
- For the Independent News story about the IN Power List, click here.
- For the complete list, click here.
West Florida Softball Headed To State Semi’s (With Photo Gallery)
May 5, 2014
The West Florida Lady Jaguars made school history Sunday, earning the teams first ever trip to a state softball tournament. The Lady Jags earned the state berth with a tight 2-1 Region 1-4A championship win over West Nassau.
Korina Rosario pitched the win for the West Florida in seven, with two walks, one run and three strikeouts.
Rosario was 2-3 with walk; Kristin Gunter was 2-4 with a double and RBI; Ali Cutaio went 1-3 with a double; Jibrasha Moore was 1-3 with a sacrifice bunt; Breana Roger went 1-3; Emily Loring was 1-3 with the winning RBI.
The West Florida Lady Jaguars will play the Gulliver Preparatory Raiders in the 4A semifinals on Wednesday. The game begins at 10:35 a.m. Eastern at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach. Admission is $9 per person, and parking is $8. The winner advances to a Thursday morning state championship game against either P.K. Yonge or Mulberry.
Pictured top: The West Florida High School Lady Jaguars won the Region 1-4A championship Sunday near Jacksonville. Pictured: the Lady Jags celebrate. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
One Dead, One Injured In Escambia Shooting
May 5, 2014
A Saturday night double shooting left one person dead in Escambia County.
The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. in the Pleasant Grove community on Silver Creek Drive. The woman reportedly shot her husband before turning the gun on herself. She was later pronounced deceased at an area hospital, while the man’s injuries were not considered life threatening.
The names of the victims and further details have not been released.