Pedestrian Killed On Davis Highway
June 7, 2015
A pedestrian was killed Saturday morning in Escambia County as they attempted to cross Davis Highway near Blackwell Lane.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 37-year old Cristi Hayes was traveling northbound on Davis Highway about 12:43 a.m. when 43-year old pedestrian Darren Deffley walked into the path of her 1999 Ford Windstar.
Deffley was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Hayes received minor injuries.
No charges were filed in the crash.
Wahoo’s Winker Continues Hot Hitting In Loss
June 7, 2015
Southern League pitchers may want to take note, Jesse Winker is getting used to your stuff.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos outfielder tripled for the team’s only hit and scored the only run in a, 5-1, series opening loss to the Jacksonville Suns Saturday. The game was the 115th sellout at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium since the ballpark opened in April 2012.
Winker is now batting .400 on 8-20 hitting in his last six games with two runs a triple and three RBIs. Winker, who won the Arizona Fall League batting crown this fall, has seen his average rise to .249 on the season.
Winker, the Cincinnati Reds’ No. 2 prospect, lined a triple into the right field corner against reliever Craig Stem to lead off the seventh inning. He then scored on a deep fly ball to left field by first baseman Kyle Waldrop to cut Jacksonville’s lead, 3-1.
“Jess is back to his old form,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “That’s the Winker I know. He’s a very natural hitter. He can’t have too many swing thoughts. He’s a guy you don’t talk mechanics to. He sees the ball and hits it.”
Kelly said Winker started coming around in the last series against the rival Mobile BayBears. Winker said he’s just trying to be a “tough out.”
“You have to be a tough out,” said Winker, who was chosen in the first round three years ago. “You have to learn to fight even if things are not going your way. Sometimes you’re wishing, ‘Dang, I wish I hit it five feet to the left or right.’”
Meanwhile, Jacksonville left-hander Matt Tomshaw no-hit Pensacola through six innings, allowing just four Blue Wahoos runners to reach base. Tomshaw, who is making his Double-A debut this season, has now started four games for Jacksonville and given up four runs in 21 innings for a 1.71 ERA.
The 26-year-old Tomshaw was getting his fourth spot start this year in place of Kendry Flores, who was recalled to the parent club Miami Marlins earlier this week. Flores made his debut Saturday for Miami and allowed three hits and a walk in 0.2 innings but didn’t allow any runs.
Tomshaw, drafted in the 42nd round out of Jacksonville University by the Minnesota Twins in 2011, said his last no-hitter came in a seven inning game in his sophomore year in high school.
“I was able to work off my fastball—show it in and then throw my sinker away,” said Tomshaw, who improved to 2-4. “That led to a lot of ground balls. Our defense was outstanding.”
Jacksonville finally opened up the game on Peralta in the fifth inning. He had pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth, allowing one run. But in the fifth catcher Chadd Krist earned a walk and scored on a single by center fielder Kenny Wilson to go ahead, 2-0. Wilson then scored when right fielder Carlos Lopez hit a hard grounder back through the box to centerfield for a 3-0 lead.
Jacksonville added two more insurance runs in the ninth on a solo home run that left fielder Matt Juengel crushed over the left field wall for his ninth of the season. It then went ahead, 5-1, on a score by Terrance Dayleg on a Wilson single.
John Douglas Oswalt
June 7, 2015
John Douglas Oswalt, 35, of Bartlett, TN passed away on May 4, 2015.
He is survived by his fiancée, Shawna Michelle Moore, parents, John Robert Oswalt and Carol Oswalt, sister Missy Davenport, brother-in-law, Ricky Davenport, niece, Cassidy Davenport, nephew, Mason Davenport and grandparents, Robert W. Oswalt and Marie E. Oswalt. Mr. Oswalt is now with Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
The family would like everyone to attend his Celebration of Life service on Saturday, June 13 at 10 a.m. at Bellevue Baptist Church, 2000 Appling Rd. Cordova, TN. The burial will follow at Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Rd. After the burial the family invites everyone back to Bellevue Baptist Church for a reception.
Minnie Elberta Kelly
June 7, 2015
Mrs. Minnie Elberta Kelly, 77, passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2015, in Bay Minette.
Mrs. Kelly was a native of McDavid, former longtime resident of Christian Home, FL and a resident of Bay Minette since 1973. Mrs. Kelly was the former owner of Gene’s Taxi & Locksmith in Bay Minette. She was a member of the Christian Home Freewill Baptist Church.
Her husband, Gene Kelly; and brother, Ray Holland, precede her in death.
Survivors include her two sons, David (Kim) Kelly of Bay Minette and James Kelly of Wyoming; one daughter, Carla Herring (Timmie Thomley) of Bay Minette; two brothers, Bill (Hazel) Holland of Pensacola and Roger (Gloria) Holland of Christian Home; two sisters, Gale Smith of Pensacola and Edna (Don) Cerny of Dallas, TX; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, June 7, 2015, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial was at the Christian Home Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Kelly, Justin Kelly, Aaron Milligan, Preston Ferrell, Anthony Morris, Patrick Hadley and Dustin DeVan.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Euni Belle Ball
June 7, 2015
Euni Ball, 76, was called home from this life on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. Euni was married for 57 years to her loving husband, Gene Ball. Together, they are sealed for time and all eternity. Euni loved cooking, sewing, gardening, and spoiling everyone around her. Euni was a military wife for 24 years. She was an extremely strong woman and a loving mother. She had quite a sense of humor and knew how to make life, fun. Together Gene and Euni raised five children.
She is preceded in death by son, Johnny Lynn Ball.
She is survived by her husband, Gene Ball; and children, Cindy Joyner (Jack Joyner), Sandy Phillips (John Phillips III), Keith Ball (Shannon Ball), Kevin Ball. She has nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 6, 2015, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Foxrun Drive.
Pensacola Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home is directing.
Lillian D. Bryars
June 7, 2015
Lillian D. Bryars, 86, of Pensacola, passed away June 3, 2015. She was a title searcher for Lawyers Title Co. She was also a strong supporter of our military and veterans. She enjoyed lunches and shopping with her girlfriends. Her greatest love was her family and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, John P. and Bertha Mae Sandiford; and her husband, Clarance L Bryars, Jr.
She is survived by her brothers, John (Barbara) Sandiford of Olive Branch, MS and Kenneth (Mona) Sandiford of Atlanta, GA; sister, Molly (Bob) Rich of DeLand, FL; sons, Robert Scott Bryars of Gautier, MS and Kenneth (Linda) Bryars of Pensacola; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Monday, June 8, 2015, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Dr. Dale Patterson will officiate and interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Gibbs, John Bryars, Christian Leeper, Mike Green, Rick Roberson and John Kimbrell.
Honorary pallbearers will be David Sandiford and Burt Kimbrell.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with the arrangements.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Cantonment Barn
June 6, 2015
An early morning fire destroyed a barn or storage building in Cantonment.
The fire was reported about 1:45 a.m. Saturday in the 2600 block of Sandicrest Drive, just off Highway 297A. The structure had already burned to the ground when the first firefighters arrived on scene a few moments later.
There were no injuries reported. The cause of the blaze was not known.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Authorities Warn Of Police Impersonator
June 6, 2015
Area law enforcement is on high alert after reports of an alleged police impersonator in Atmore.
The Atmore Police Department said Friday that they’ve received reports of a person driving a white Ford Crown Victoria in the Atmore area that has already initiated a traffic stop on one vehicle and has driven through city with emergency lights activated. Police say they don’t know who the suspected police impersonator may be.
The vehicle is described as having a red light bar and blue interior lights. The vehicle has no tag and the only markings are a small circular sticker on the back window. The driver was described as a white male with blond hair, possibly in his 20’s. He may be wearing a blue uniform with a sewn-on badge. He was not wearing a traditional police-type “duty belt”.
The vehicle was last seen Thursday entering Atmore with lights activated on Highway 31 and turning onto Presley Street.
Atmore Police advises drivers that if a traffic stop is initiated in their city and their are no identifying markings on the patrol vehicle, call 911 or their department at (251) 368-9141. The operator will verify that the traffic stop is legitimate.
Anyone with information on the vehicle or driver is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141 or their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured: This photo supplied by the Atmore Police Department shows the vehicle being used by an alleged police impersonator.
Four Florida License Free Fishing Dates In June
June 6, 2015
There are four license-free fishing day in Florida for residents and visitors. They are:
Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, saltwater recreational fishing license requirement will be waived.
Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, freshwater recreational fishing license requirement will be waived.
Governor Scott said, “This summer, we’re excited to make it easier for families to enjoy the world class fishing our state has to offer. Florida is the fishing capital of the world and one of the many reasons we welcomed a record 98.9 million visitors to the Sunshine State last year. I look forward to fishing with my grandsons this summer, and I hope everyone takes advantage of license-free fishing this month.”
The four days in June are a part of the eight total license-free fishing days the FWC offers each year. All bag limits, seasons and size restrictions apply on these dates.
Teachers Learn From Project Learning Tree
June 6, 2015
Numerous Escambia and Santa Rosa county educators spent their Friday learning about Project Learning Tree at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for formal and non-formal educators working with students in pre-kindergarten through high school. PLT uses trees and forests as the context to help young people gain an awareness and knowledge of natural and built environments. PLT stimulates students’ critical and creative thinking, develops students’ ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues and instills a commitment of responsible action on behalf of the environment.
PLT can be used in both rural and urban environments, whether there is a forest or a single tree and teaches students how to think, not what to think about our complex environment.
The event was sponsored by the Florida Forest Service, Santa Rosa UF/IFAS Extension, Escambia County Roy Hyatt Environmental Center and the Project Learning Tree Steering Committee.
Educators that took part in the event received a free activity guide and had a chance to learn about the program with hands-on activities.
Pictured top: Educators take part in a Project Learning Tree food web activity Friday at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment. Pictured below: Florida Forest Service Supervisor Craig Iverson explains a portion of the program. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
