New Atmore Walmart To Open Aug 6
June 20, 2014
Construction is nearly complete on the area’s newest Walmart store in Atmore, and an opening date of August 6 has been announced.
The 70,000 square foot store at 911 North Main Street will include a full line of groceries and a wide assortment of merchandise.
“Now that major construction is done, it’s great to get in the store and start getting it set for opening,” said store manager Joe Ferguson. “I’m proud of all the work the associates have done and we’re all looking forward to opening the doors and getting to know our new neighbors.”
Employees are in the process of setting up shelving and stocking the store in preparation for the opening. On Thursday, construction crews were also busy adding turn lanes on North Main Street for the store.
Pictured: The new Walmart store in Atmore, as seen Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 10 Years On Meth Charges
June 20, 2014
An Escambia County man is headed to prison on meth charges.
Brandon Edison was convicted by an Escambia County Jury of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams), manufacturing methamphetamine, and two counts of possession of unlawful listed chemicals.
Circuit Judge Edward P. Nickinson, III sentenced Edison to 10 years state prison with seven years to be served as a minimum mandatory, which means Edison will serve the first seven years of his sentence day for day.
On November 9, 2013, there was a report of a fire at the Mayfair Motel on Mobile Highway. The maintenance man responded to room 125 where he found smoke coming from under the door. When he entered the room he found a fire in the microwave. He recognized two of the three people that fled the room and was later able to identify them in photo lineups. Escambia County Narcotics investigators, Escambia Fire Rescue, and hazmat responded to the scene. Inside the motel room there was an active meth lab found. There was also evidence that this had been an ongoing meth lab. No one was hurt in the fire.
Wahoos Open Second Half Of Season With 7-2 Win
June 20, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos started the second half of the Southern League season with four new faces in the starting lineup.
In fact, those four – second baseman Ryan Wright, left fielder Jesse Winker, third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean, and right fielder Kyle Waldrop – all made their Double-A debuts Thursday night in Pensacola’s 7-2 victory in front of the team’s 21st sellout in 36 home games.
Delino DeShields was cautiously optimistic how they would handle the jump from High-A Bakersfield Blaze where they hit like a Murderers’ Row.
“As far as expectations, I have none,” DeShields said before the game. “They all played well in Bakersfield. But I know how difficult this league is. We will find out who can really play.”
In the first inning, the newcomers got off to a blazing start. Wright, Winker and Mejias-Brean loaded the bases and all scored on catcher Ross Perez’s double that rolled to the fence in right center field, giving Pensacola a 3-0 lead. Perez, who added a solo homer in the eighth inning, has hit in 11 of his last 12 games at a .444 clip and leads the team in hitting with men on base at .368.
Then Waldrop, who led Bakersfield and the California League with a .359 average, singled to right field to knock in Perez, putting Pensacola ahead, 4-0. Waldrop has a hit in his last 14 games and is hitting .466. The Wahoos led 5-0 after the first inning.
Their excitement was contagious with most of the players standing and leaning on the rail in the dugout to watch the game. The Wahoos called up seven players total from Bakersfield, which won its division in the first half. Pensacola finished last in its division with a 31-39 record in the first half.
“Who really cares what happened in the first half,” Perez said. “It’s really exciting to have all these new guys in here and they’re really excited to move up. The team’s looking different and I think we’ll have a real good second half.”
Winker admitted he was “very pumped up” about his debut, especially with his family traveling from Orlando for the series. Winker, the Cincinnati Reds 2012 first round pick and No. 3 prospect, walked twice and scored a run. With his addition, Pensacola now boasts four of the top five and six of the top 10 Cincinnati prospects on their roster.
“I’m just going to come out and play hard and hopefully help the Wahoos make the playoffs,” Winker said. “I want to work hard, play hard every day and just win.”
Wahoos reliever Carlos Contreras, who hasn’t given up a run in five appearances after pitching a scoreless ninth inning, said he likes the lineup changes.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “We have all these prospects on one team playing together. I hope we’re all playing together in the big leagues very soon. I think now we’re going to do very good in the second half. I think we’re the best team in the Southern League.”
Reliever Carlos Gonzalez also appeared in his first Double-A game, pitching the eighth inning. Gonzalez, who earned 15 saves and had a 0.57 ERA for Bakersfield, allowed one hit and struck out one.
by Tommy Thrall
Judge: Cantonment Man Competent To Stand Trial For DUI Death
June 19, 2014
A Cantonment man has been found competent to stand trial for a November 2013 traffic crash that claimed the life of his 54-year old passenger.
Judge Terry Terrell ruled this week that 48-year old Melvin Pryear is competent to face charges of DUI manslaughter and DUI with property damage. He is charged with the death of of Albertina McCarty of Pensacola. The Florida Highway Patrol said Pryear was driving under the influence when he pulled into the path of a 18-wheeler near International Paper last November. The FHP said that according to multiple witnesses, both north and southbound Highway 29 had a green light, but there was no green turn arrow for Pryear.
The front of the 18-wheeler struck the Chrysler, causing it to rotate onto the southbound shoulder at the Raceway gas station. McCarty, Pryear’s passenger in the Chrysler, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Pryear remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $101,000. Jury selection in his trial is set to begin next week.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
ECAT: Dump The Pump Today And Try Public Transporation
June 19, 2014
In celebration of the ninth annual National Dump the Pump Day, the Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) team is encouraging everyone to try public transportation today.
This initiative, sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), coincides with ECAT’s new engagement effort that asks people what it would take for them to break up with their cars. According to the APTA, a two-car household can save more than $10,000 each year by getting rid of one car, and these are savings ECAT representatives feel are important for the community.
“Initiatives like Dump the Pump remind us that cost savings demonstrated through the use of public transportation is significant,” said Tonya Ellis, director of marketing and community relations for ECAT. “More dollars in the pockets of riders means far-reaching positive benefits for all areas of our local economy, so we’re challenging the community not only to dump the pump on a single day, but asking them what it would take to break up with their vehicles on a more permanent level.”
“If we can provide potential riders with the information and education they need to use ECAT, we’ll do that,” said Ellis. “We are dedicated to helping our community and to meeting the needs of our riders – from our senior citizens to young professionals and families.”
Murzin Among Applicants For Open Public Service Commission Seats
June 19, 2014
With a series of major issues looming in the future for utilities and regulators, two upcoming vacancies on the Florida Public Service Commission have drawn 33 applicants — including Commissioner Julie Brown, who is seeking appointment to another four-year term, and Dave Murzin from Escambia County.
Murzin, who served in the House from 2002 to 2010, said utilities will deal with issues such as federal attempts to phase out coal-fired power plants. Murzin said he has long been involved in utility issues as a lawmaker and in other roles and said that would prepare him for a spot on the Public Service Commission.
“I’d hit the ground running,” said Murzin, who now works as an aide to state Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker. “I’m the type of geek that keeps up with that sort of thing.”
The terms of Brown and Commissioner Eduardo Balbis will expire in January, touching off a selection process that involves a nominating panel whittling the list of applicants and recommending finalists to Gov. Rick Scott, who will make appointments to the seats.
Balbis announced last month he would not seek another term, saying in a letter to the Public Service Commission Nominating Council that after discussions “with my family and those closest to me, I have decided the time is right to seek new challenges in other arenas after the expiration of my current term.”
Brown is seeking to follow the path of commission Chairman Art Graham and commissioners Ronald Brise and Lisa Edgar, who were reappointed by Scott when their terms were set to expire.
The list of applicants, submitted before a Tuesday deadline, also includes state Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City; Public Service Commission General Counsel and former longtime lawmaker Curt Kiser.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Wilson Graduates From Basic Military Training
June 19, 2014
Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Laneikia S. Wilson graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Wilson is the daughter of Joyce and step-daughter of Roy L. Leggett, and granddaughter of Joyce E. Nicolson all of Pensacola.
She is a 2009 graduate of Tate High School.
Suspect Arrested For Robbery, Assault Of Pregnant Female Clerk; Charged With Second Robbery
June 19, 2014
Police have arrested a man they say robbed a cell phone store after punching a young pregnant female clerk in the face before taking an undisclosed amount of money.
Vincent Lavon Johnson, 41, was taken into custody in the 3000 block of North Roosevelt Street. He was charged with felony battery, strong-arm robbery and burglary. Police said he was wearing the same shorts and shoes he had on during the robbery at the time of his arrest. He was also charged with a similar crime in Escambia County.
The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. at Boost Mobile at 5039 Bayou Boulevard, near Cordova Mall.
Officer Greg Gordon said Johnson entered the store two times. The second time he was in the business, he put his phone in his pocket, approached a counter, reached over the counter, and struck a female employee in the face.
Gordon said the Johnson then demanded the employee tell him how to open the register.
She complied and he took some money and the store phone before leaving the business. The store employee was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
When officers responded to a tip that Johnson was on Roosevelt Avenue, an officer spotted Johnson running away. He was able to evade officers, but a K-9 track by Officer James Parsons and his partner Jannus led police to a home in the 3000 block of North Roosevelt where he was found
Escambia County Robbery
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday afternoon that Johnson was also arrested on an outstanding warrant with their agency for the May 28, 2014, robbery at Happy Nick’s Store on Palafox Street.
Deputies say Johnson entered the store and began to walk behind the counter. When the clerk asked him was he needed, he punched her, knocking her to the ground. He then grabbed cash from the register and fled.
The complete unedited surveillance video from Boost Mobile, as provided by the Pensacola Police Department, is below. WARNING: Some readers may find the video disturbing.
If you do not see the video, is it because your home, work or school firewall is blocking YouTube videos.
Election Watch: Local Candidate Qualifying Week Continues
June 19, 2014
Qualifying week for candidates seeking local office is continuing.
Those qualified as of close of business Wednesday for offices are listed below. Additional candidates have pre-qualified for the positions listed but did not officially qualify as of Wednesday. Friday at noon is the last day to qualify for the offices listed.
Candidates qualified for local offices as of Wednesday are:
County Commissioner, District 2
- Ray Guillory, Democrat
- Doug Underhill, Republican
- Gene Valentino, Republican
County Commissioner, District 4
- Grover C. Robinson, Republican
- Michael Alexander Lowery, Democrat
School Board, District 1
- Jeff Bergosh
School Board, District 2
- Gerald W. Boone
School Board, District 3
- Laura Dortch Edler
- Linda Moultrie
- Charlie Nichols
ECUA, District 2
- Lois Benson, Republican
ECUA, District 4
- Dale Perkins, Republican
Santa Rosa Island Authority
- Thomas Campanella
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District, Group 4
- Lynn L. Laird
Mayor of Pensacola
- Ashton Hayward
Pensacola City Council, District 2
- Sherri Myers
- Dennis R. Tackett
Pensacola City Council, District 4
- Larry B. Johnson
Pensacola City Council, District 6
- Brian Spener
Century Town Council, Seat 3
- Benjamin D. Boutwell
Century Town Council, Seat 4
- Gary E. Riley
Century Town Council, Seat 5
- Sandra McMurray Jackson
Fizz, Boom, Read: Summer Reading Today At Century, Molino Libraries
June 19, 2014
The Fizz, Boom, Read: Summer Reading Program continues today at library branches in Molino and Century.
Children and teens 6-12 are invited to participate in the West Florida Public Library’s 2014 Fizz, Boom, Read program, which focuses on experimenting with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
The interactive program is a fun way for students to keep their minds sharp throughout the summer months. Join the library for the summer reading game and interactive enrichment programs where there will be prizes for reading books, a chance to take part in science experiments and meet new people.
Century Branch
Weekly on Thursday, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- June 19
- June 26
Molino Branch
Weekly on Thursday, 6 to 7 p.m.
- June 19
- June 26
Tryon Branch
Weekly on Tuesday, 11 a.m.
- June 24
Main Library
Weekly on Wednesday, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- June 25
Southwest Branch – program to be at Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheater (12301 Gulf Beach Highway)
Weekly on Wednesday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- June 25